Housing Disrepair Claims Archives - Bartletts Solicitors

How Much Compensation Can You Claim For Housing Disrepair?

What is housing disrepair When you rent a property, it becomes your home – and your home should be a comfortable, safe place to be. If this hasn’t been your experience and your landlord has ignored your complaints about any housing disrepair issue in your home, you might be eligible to make a claim for compensation.

When Can You Claim?

Your landlord has a legal duty to ensure the property you rent from them is of an acceptable standard. If it isn’t and you’ve informed them about the matter, then you can make a claim.

As a guide, you will be able to claim compensation in the following situation:

Your home has worsened significantly since the time you moved in
You have notified your landlord in writing of the issues
You have given your landlord reasonable time to remedy the situation
Your landlord has failed to carry out the necessary repairs to your home

What Can You Claim For?

You can claim for the suffering and stress caused by the disrepair. This includes any physical impact the level of disrepair had on your health and wellbeing, the inconvenience of having to move out if you had to vacate the property, as well as any damage to your possessions as a result of the housing disrepair.

How Much Housing Disrepair Compensation Can You Claim?

When you make a housing disrepair claim, the amount you are awarded depends on the length and severity of the disrepair, as well as the impact it has had on you and the members of your household.

The pain and suffering caused by living in a home in a state of disrepair, will be factored into your compensation amount, as will whether you had to move out of your property because of the disrepair.

As a guide, the following factors influence how much compensation you receive:

The rent you paid while living with disrepair issues
Length of disrepair
Severity of disrepair
Impact on your health and wellbeing
Impact on your household’s health and wellbeing
If you had to move out

The rent you pay is used to calculate the compensation amount. You will be awarded a percentage of the rent you paid while your home was in a state of disrepair. This applies even if your rent is paid by the local council in the form of housing benefits and you can still claim compensation.

The percentage of rent paid depends on the severity of the disrepair. If your home is totally uninhabitable, you will receive 100% of the rent paid. However, this is rare and usually it is between 25% and 50% of the rent paid for the property during the period of disrepair.

How We Can Help You With Your Housing Disrepair Claim

Our specialist solicitors have the experience and expert legal knowledge to help clients with a range of housing disrepair claims.

We will discuss your situation during an initial no-obligation consultation, free of charge, to help you put a value on your claim, and offer various funding options including working on a No Win No Fee basis.

Should you decide to go ahead with making your housing disrepair claim, we will support you throughout the claims process and provide advice and guidance at every stage to ensure your experience is as stress-free and successful as possible.

To speak to one of our solicitors about making a housing disrepair claim, please contact us on Freephone 0800 988 3674 or via a Mobile 0333 200 4465 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

In an ideal world, our homes would be immaculate and issue-free but reality means that problems do arise – and when they happen, who is responsible?

The legal owner of the property is ultimately responsible and is duty bound to rectify any issues and fix any damages. This is why housing disrepair claims only ever happen between t What is housing disrepair enants and landlords – arising when the tenant has waited too long for a problem to be resolved due to the landlord’s refusal to take action.

If your landlord has had a reasonable amount of time to repair the damages to your home and has not, then you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair covers a range of issues and isn’t just limited to the inside of your home – it is any issue that either causes a safety risk, threatens your health and wellbeing, or causes inconvenience to your daily life.

As a guide, housing disrepair usually falls into one of 3 categories:

Property damage

Any damage to your property that you have notified your landlord about that has not been repaired, is considered to be housing disrepair.

Examples of damages include dampness on the walls or condensation on the windows, plumbing problems, or loose floorboards.

Damages can lead to safety risks and your home could become an unsafe place to live.

Always contact your landlord as soon as you notice any property damage, and your landlord should communicate with you and arrange for the repairs to rectified.

Outside damages

Damage to the outside of your home or to your garden is classed as housing disrepair.

It may be that the fence in your garden is damaged or your drains are blocked – whatever the issue is, you should expect your landlord to take action soon after being told about the matter.

Inconvenience

Your home may be structurally safe but you may have an infestation of mice or rats. This can often be a sign of damage to the property somewhere unseen and obviously is not nice to live with.

Your landlord should react straightaway after being told there are pests in your property, to resolve the matter.

How We Can Help You With Your Housing Disrepair Claim?

Our specialist housing solicitors are here to help you if you want to start a housing disrepair claim or to discuss your housing situation and whether your landlord should be doing more to fix the faults or issues in your home.

We will ensure we fully understand your circumstances to determine if your landlord is being negligent – and establish if you have a case to make a claim for housing disrepair compensation.

If you decide to make a housing disrepair claim, we will assist you at every stage of the process to make the experience as stress-free and straightforward as possible for you.

Make a Free Enquiry Today!

To discuss making a housing disrepair claim and for expert legal advice, please call us now on 01244 752 999 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

When Should You Claim Against Your Landlord For Unfit Housing?

As a tenant, you have the right to live in a comfortable and safe home – after all, you pay rent to ensure the property is kept in a good condition by the landlord. However, if your landlord refuses to make the Housing Disrepair Claim Solicitors necessary repairs to your home and you’ve suffered as a result of this inaction, you may be able to make a claim for unfit housing compensation.

Make A Complaint To Your Landlord

If you feel that your health or safety or comfort has been compromised and put at risk, you should contact your landlord straightaway so that he or she can take the necessary action.

Your landlord has a legal duty to keep the property in a safe condition for the tenant and is obliged to repair or replace any faults as soon as possible, and always within a reasonable amount of time after being notified.

Usually, landlords will work to fix the issues once informed by their tenants – but unfortunately this isn’t always the case.

What Happens If Your Landlord Ignores Your Complaint?

If you have informed your landlord of the fault or damage in your home and waited a reasonable amount of time for him or her to respond but heard nothing, you should speak to a housing solicitor for advice.

You may have a case for making a house disrepair claim for compensation.

Can You Claim Against Your Landlord For Unfit Housing?

Depending on your experience and circumstances, if your landlord has been neglectful of your ongoing issues with your rented home then you may be eligible to make a claim against him or her.

As a guide, you can usually claim for one of the following reasons:

Mould or Damp
If there is mould or damp in your property that your landlord won’t help to fix, you can usually claim compensation for any damage to your belongings caused by the damp living conditions. Make sure you take photos of the damaged items as proof and keep safe any receipts of items that you have had to repair or replace because of the mould.
Poor Health
If the housing disrepair has had a bad effect on your health, then you may be able to claim for compensation. The amount you would receive would depend on how ill you have been and for how long, and whether or not you have had to miss work as a result of your ill health.
Inconvenience
Even if your housing disrepair has not damaged your belongings or your health, it might have caused you inconvenience and discomfort which is not fair either. As a good rule, always tell your landlord of any fault or damage in your house as soon as possible so that he or she can act upon it and find a way to fix it. Your landlord should prioritise your welfare and action the repair, and if this does not happen you may be eligible to make a claim.

How We Can Help You With Your Unfit Housing Claim

Our housing solicitors have successfully handled numerous claims for compensation against negligent landlords and are here to help if you have been living in unfit housing as a result of your landlord’s refusal to take action.

Only recently, our team in our Chester office were able to help a local family of five (mum, dad and three children) claim for compensation after living as tenants in rented accommodation owned by a local housing association. Despite making complaints for 3 years about the damp in the property, the landlord did nothing. As a result of this, everyone in the family suffered from ill health due to the damp conditions, and their possessions were damaged too.

Together with our help, the family claimed compensation for the loss of use and inconvenience of living in unfit housing conditions plus for damaged property and ill health. In total, dad was awarded £6,000, mum £1,750, the two children still living at home £1,100, and the child who had moved in with their grandparents as the mould was so bad in their bedroom received £400 in compensation.

Our specialist solicitors have the experience and understanding of housing law to help you with your unfit housing claim and will assist you at every stage to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Make a free enquiry today

For expert legal advice, please call us now on 01244 752 999 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

Housing Disrepair Compensation Calculator. How is a housing disrepair claim calculated?

As a tenant or leaseholder whose landlord has failed to carry out repairs which you’d previously notified them about, you may be entitled to housing disrepair compensation.

The level of housing disrepair compensation depends on a number of different factors and this blog is designed to give you an idea of how your claim may be calculated.

Calculating Your Housing Disrepair Compensation Claim.

You can make a claim for 3 things:

An order requiring your landlord to complete the repairs
Compensation
Your legal costs

"...Throughout the process your professional guidance was impeccable leading to a successful conclusion. I would have no hesitation in recommending you & your company and am very happy to provide you with a testimonial for any prospective new clients. Thank you once again."

- Mr PM

Housing Disrepair Claims

There are two types of damage you can base a housing disrepair claim on – general damages and special damages.

General Damages

These are claims for inconvenience that has been caused by living in a property in disrepair or from having to leave your home due to the disrepair.

The amount of compensation depends on the severity and type of disrepair, and you would need to provide evidence of the following:

The repairs are your landlord’s responsibility, as stated in your tenancy agreement or by the law
The date you notified your landlord of the disrepair
That you have given your landlord reasonable time to complete the repairs, which is usually 4-8 weeks
That the repairs have caused you inconvenience

Housing Disrepair Compensation Calculator

Your level of compensation would be calculated by establishing the number of months you have spent living in disrepair and multiplying this by the monthly rent you pay.

This sum would then be used to calculate the repayable amount, based on the level of inconvenience suffered – for example, if you’ve been renting a 4-bedroom property and 2 of the bedrooms have been damp then the inconvenience level would likely be set at up to 50%, whereas if your property has been uninhabitable but you’ve been living there anyway you could receive compensation set at 100% inconvenience.

Special Damages

These are claims for monetary losses caused by the disrepair, such as for damaged belongings or for extra expenses you’ve incurred due to the disrepair.

The amount of compensation depends on the amount of monetary loss you’ve incurred, and you would need to provide evidence of the following:

A survey report that details the repairs your landlord is legally responsible for
That you’ve complained of these repairs and given your landlord a reasonable period of time, approximately 4-8 weeks, to complete the tasks
Receipts and photographs of the losses
That your losses were directly caused by the repairs
That your expenses are reasonable and you’ve kept losses to a minimum

How Your Compensation Is Calculated

Usually, you are not given the replacement value for an item, but rather a sum is calculated that reflects by how much the item’s expected lifespan has been cut short.

How We Can Help You Make A Housing Disrepair Claim

Our specialist solicitors at Bartletts treat every client and every claim individually, and would ensure we fully understand the details of your particular housing disrepair situation in order to establish the level of compensation you’re entitled to.

We will then be able to advise you on what evidence you need to provide in order to support your claim. Working closely with you and assisting you with your claim at every stage of the process, we will help you achieve the best possible outcome.

To speak to one of our specialist solicitors about making a housing disrepair claim, contact us on 0800 988 3674 or 01244 405 399 or complete a Free Online Claim Enquiry.

Make A Free Housing Disrepair Compensation Enquiry Now

I was very impressed by the speed and diligence with which my case was handled

- Phyllis

Bartletts Chester Helps Local Family Claim Compensation For Years Of Living In Unfit Housing

A local family who suffered for more than 3 years because of unfit housing conditions have been awarded compensation after making a claim with the help of Bartletts Solicitors in Chester.

The housing disrepair case was brought to the specialist team at Bartletts Chester who worked hard to secure the compensation for all five family members – mum, dad, and 3 children.

The family were tenants in rented accommodation owned by a local housing association. Despite making complaints for 3 years about the damp, unfit living conditions of the property, the landlord took no action to remedy the problems until Bartletts Chester got involved.

The entire house was affected by mould because of the damp conditions, and one child moved out to live with their grandparents as the mould in their bedroom was unbearable. As a result of the damp, the remaining family members were ill on and off for the 3 years, and their possessions, including furniture and clothing, were badly affected by the damp too.

The dad, a health and safety officer, and mum, the couple’s disabled child’s carer, got in touch with the personal injury lawyers at Bartletts Chester who were able to prove that the significant coughs, colds and respiratory problems all the family members had been suffering from during the 3 years were over and above the usual seasonal illnesses.

A claim was made on the family’s behalf for the loss of use and inconvenience of living in unfit housing conditions, which is calculated as a percentage reimbursement of the rent per calendar month, plus for damaged possessions, and for the illness suffered by each family member over the years.

In total, dad was awarded £6,000, mum £1,750, the 2 children still living at home £1,100, and the child who had moved out received £400 in compensation.

As soon as the repair works were carried out at the house, the family stopped suffering from the illnesses caused by damp housing.

This was an interesting case as housing repair law recently changed following the implementation of the new Housing Act 2018 from March 2020. The change in law has opened up claims for tenants who may have previously struggled to secure compensation for issues such as condensation problems – before, condensation was deemed to be the tenant’s fault but now it is judged on a per-case basis and is often seen as being caused by the landlord failing to insulate the property properly.

If you have suffered as a result of housing disrepair speak to one of our specialist personal injury solicitors , contact us on 0800 988 3674 or Telephone our Chester office on: 01244 405 399 or our Wrexham office on: 01978 360056 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk

Do I need to give my landlord notice of a housing disrepair claim?

Your landlord has a legal duty to ensure the property you live in is in a good condition, structurally sound and with a comfortable interior – if this has not been your experience then it is vital you give your landlord notice of the disrepair at the time, in case you want to make a housing disrepair claim at a later date.

Notice Of Disrepair

Any disrepair issue with your rented home must be brought to the attention of your landlord and then a reasonable amount of time allowed for your landlord to make the repairs.

If your landlord has had both notice of the disrepair and a realistic amount of time to carry out repairs but has failed to rectify the issue, then you will likely be able to make a claim for housing disrepair compensation.

Why Does Notice Matter?

Without notice, your landlord could simply agree to carry out the necessary repairs but not compensate you for the discomfort, inconvenience and upset the disrepair has caused you whilst you’ve lived at the property.

How Should You Give Notice?

When you give notice of disrepair to your landlord, keep in mind that you’ll need evidence of notice if you decide to make a housing disrepair claim later on.

Telling your landlord about the issue over the phone can be hard to prove if your landlord doesn’t keep a record of this conversation or denies it happened.

Always give notice in writing – via email is best as this will give you a written record of the date and time and details of the complaint.

Do You Need To Report All Disrepair?

Ideally, yes – telling your landlord about every housing disrepair means you can prove ample notice was given and he or she failed to take action.

However, there is no need to report any disrepair issues to the exterior of the property – as your landlord does not need to enter the property to discover this disrepair, no notice is required. Although if the external issue is affecting something on the inside of the property, you should report the disrepair.

If your landlord inspects your property and the disrepair is visible to the naked eye then this is considered as constructive notice. However, this is risky as your landlord may deny the issue was visible and state that notice hadn’t in fact been given.

Therefore, it is advisable to always have a written record of giving your landlord notice of disrepair as this will prove essential evidence should you decide to make a claim at a later date.

How We Can Help You With Housing Disrepair Claims

We have a team of professional, friendly property solicitors who are experienced at handling a range of housing disrepair claims and ensuring clients experience a stress-free claims process and the maximum compensation they’re entitled to.

Compensation is calculated based on a number of different factors, including the time from the date a reasonable landlord could have carried out the repairs after receiving notice – so it’s important to remember to always give your landlord written notice of the disrepair in your home.

We will assist you at every stage of the claims process and ensure you receive compensation for the distress, damage and inconvenience caused by the housing disrepair.

To speak to one of our specialist solicitors about housing disrepair, contact us on freephone 0800 988 3674 or Chester Tel: 01244 311 633 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions About Housing Disrepair Claims

Many people are unaware of their rights when they rent and just what landlords are required to do by law when it comes to housing standards.

It is important you know your rights as a tenant and know you don’t have to put up with living in a rented property that is in need of repairs or that has fallen into disrepair and remained in this state for some time.

If you’re renting property and your landlord has failed to take the necessary action to remedy the faults after a reasonable amount of time, you may be eligible to claim housing disrepair compensation.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair usually means a rented property that is in need of repair and is considered unsuitable for tenants to live in as a result.

What Is A Housing Disrepair Claim?

This is a claim for compensation that a tenant makes against their landlord because their landlord has failed to fix the problems with the property or remedy the disrepair.

If your landlord has been notified of the issues and been given plenty of time to make the necessary repairs but hasn’t, then making a claim is a step you are entitled to take. After all, living in a property that has fallen into disrepair or that needs fixing can be damaging to your health or put your life in danger – which is why it’s important to make a housing disrepair claim if this is the case.

Examples Of Housing Disrepair Claims

If a landlord refuses to fix repairs or take action should a property fall into disrepair, a tenant has the right to take legal action and make a housing disrepair claim for compensation.

Common causes of housing disrepair claims include:

Structural issues
Pest and vermin problems
Damp and mould
No central heating or faulty central heating system
Gas or water leaks
Broken windows, doors or gates

What Is The Law On Housing Disrepair?

Your landlord should repair any damage or disrepair to your rented home within a reasonable time frame and is legally obliged to maintain the structure of the property to a good standard. This applies to all landlords, whether private or social housing landlords.

According to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords have numerous responsibilities and obligations to the tenant – and this applies to all tenancies entered into after 1961 and still applies whether you have a tenancy agreement or not.

As a guide, landlords must ensure the property:

Meets fire safety regulations
Has a working, maintained central heating system and wiring
Has sufficient security
Has no mould or damp
Internally is kept in good repair, including gas, electricity, water and sanitation systems
Has a well-kept roof
Externally is kept in good repair

Can You Make A Housing Disrepair Claim?

If you can prove the disrepair was preventable and the damage was avoidable, you may be eligible to make a claim.

You need to prove your landlord knew of your property’s state of disrepair either because you notified them repeatedly, or because your landlord should have known that the property needed maintenance and repair. Plus, you need to prove your landlord knowingly took no action to remedy the disrepair and failed to fulfil their legal duties to you as tenant.

Show those two things and you can likely make a housing disrepair claim for compensation.

Should You Claim Against Your Landlord?

Usually in the UK, housing disrepair claims are made against landlords as liability usually falls on them. Sometimes, however, the liability falls on the party responsible for managing the property – such as a property management firm or leasing agency – and your claim for compensation would be made against this party as well as against your landlord in this case.

How Much Notice Do You Have To Give Your Landlord?

You must ensure you notify your landlord via email, text message, in person or by letter, at least 21 days before making a housing disrepair claim.

We advise you notify your landlord by email or text message as both options provide you with evidence of the date and time you notified your landlord.

If your landlord responds to your notification, you need to allow them a reasonable amount of time to make the repairs. If they fail to do so after a reasonable time frame, you can make a compensation claim.

What Will A Housing Disrepair Solicitor Do?

A housing disrepair solicitor will gather and assess evidence before consulting with doctors and professional building inspectors to establish extent of liability and the level of compensation you may be owed. Your solicitor will also represent you and support you throughout the claims process to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

As a guide, housing disrepair solicitors will gather and assess:

Physical evidence such as photos of the disrepair
Emails and texts showing notifications to the landlord
Information from other tenants
The property itself

What Can You Claim Compensation For?

Every housing disrepair case is different and assessed on an individual basis. The level of compensation you can claim for will depend on your experience and whether the property disrepair has caused you health and wellbeing problems and led to medical costs and suffering.

Compensation claims for housing disrepair may include for:

Personal injury or health issues
Related medical expenses and personal suffering
Damage to belongings
Inconvenience

How Much Can You Claim Compensation For?

This depends on the severity of the problems you have faced and how they have affected you, as well as other factors such as the date you first notified your landlord and the amount of evidence you have against your landlord.

How We Can Help You Make A Housing Disrepair Claim

If you’ve suffered because your landlord has failed to fulfil their legal obligations to fix repairs or remedy disrepair on your rented home, you should consider making a claim for compensation.

Our housing disrepair solicitors have the experience and friendly approach to ensure you will be supported at every step of the way. We will guide you throughout the claims process to keep stress to a minimum and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

For advice on making a housing disrepair claim or to discuss your current housing situation with one of our specialist solicitors, contact us on 0800 988 3674 or Chester 01244 405 399 or via email on advice@bartletts.co.uk

Can I Claim Compensation For A Damp Home?

We Have Helped Hundreds Of People Claim Compensation For A Damp Home – Can We Help You Too?

If you’re in rented accommodation and your landlord has failed to fix your home’s damp or mould issue, you may be entitled to claim for compensation.

Your local council or Housing Association landlord has a legal obligation to ensure your home is maintained to a safe and comfortable level. Poorly maintained homes often suffer from mould, damp or condensation, which can impact on your health as well as personal belongings.

You have rights as a tenant, and if you’ve informed your landlord and he has failed to take the necessary steps to fix the damp problem, then you can make a claim for damp or mould compensation against your landlord.

Make a free enquiry now. Call us on 01244 645830 or complete a Free Online Enquiry to discover your legal rights and entitlement to compensation.

“My claim was finalised and the outcome was substantial more than I expected. I can’t thank Trevor Morris and Bartletts enough for their help and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.” – Mr DT

What Can You Claim Damp Compensation For?

Living in a damp or mouldy home is bad for your health, your wellbeing, and all your possessions. You have a right to live in a safe, habitable place, and if you’ve reported the damp and your landlord has done nothing, you should claim for compensation and to ensure the repairs are carried out.

Damp, mould or heavy condensation can trigger a range of health issues and damage your home. As a guide, you may be able to make a claim for housing disrepair compensation, if you’ve suffered any of the following:

Respiratory problems
Allergic reactions
Skin irritations
Fungal infections
Sneezing fits
Inconvenience and discomfort
Any costs incurred
Damage to furnishings
Damage to belongings

How We Can Help With Your Claim For Damp Compensation

If you have evidence that you’ve informed your landlord of the damp or mould in your home and your landlord has taken no action, our experienced housing law solicitors will help you make a claim for compensation.

We will make a compensation claim on your behalf for your poorly maintained home and the suffering this has caused you and your family. Working closely with you to fully understand your situation, we will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for any health issues and damage to your personal possessions caused by living in a damp environment, as well as for the stress, inconvenience and discomfort of living in an uninhabitable home.

In addition to claiming for compensation, we may be able to secure a full or partial rent refund for the time you’ve had to spend in the property when it was damp or mouldy.

Throughout the entire claims process, we will provide advice and guidance at every stage and ensure you are fully supported in your claim for compensation from your landlord for illness and injuries.

To speak to one of our professional housing law solicitors about claiming compensation from your landlord for damp in your home, contact us on 0800 988 3674 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk

“I just wanted to thank you for settling my claim – I am absolutely over the moon! Thank you so much for taking on my case, I really appreciate everything you have done. Thanks again.” – Laura

Can I Make a Claim For Compensation For Housing Disrepair?

If you’re living in rented property and your landlord has failed to take action over your complaints of housing disrepair, you may want to make a compensation claim for damages and to ensure the repairs are carried out.

Your landlord has a legal duty to make sure your home is kept in an acceptable state of repair, which includes the structure and exterior of the house, bathroom sanitary products and pipework, heating and ventilation systems, electrical wiring and gas pipes, as well as some appliances if included in the tenancy agreement.

There is a Pre-action Protocol for Disrepair Claims that has to be followed before you can pursue a claim in the County Court, and there may be disrepair related claims you can bring against your landlord, for example, for personal injury if you’ve suffered because of the disrepair or for negligence on behalf of your landlord.

If your landlord has not taken action when informed of housing disrepair, we recommend you speak to a housing disrepair solicitor for professional advice on how to claim for compensation. However, as a guide, a tenant needs to prove 3 things when bringing a case against a landlord.

Key Steps For Making A Housing Disrepair Claim

Tenants need to prove 3 things when making a claim for housing disrepair compensation:

The home has defects
The landlord knows of the defects
The landlord has failed to resolve the defects within a reasonable time period

Tips For Proving Housing Disrepair And Landlord Inaction

Gathering evidence is key if you want to make a claim against your landlord, and you need to prove your home suffers from defects and that your landlord knows of these defects but has failed to take the necessary action.

You may have photographic evidence of your home’s defects, depending on the nature of the disrepair. Alternatively, we may need to draft in professional help when it comes to getting the evidence required– for example, using the services of a chartered building surveyor and then obtaining a quote for repairs from a reputable builder to detail the defects.

Once you have this, find all the evidence you have that shows your landlord has had knowledge of the defects and not taken action to remedy the disrepair. Text messages, emails and correspondence records are useful, as are details of any annual house inspections that should have been carried out but weren’t and when your landlord visited your home and would have seen the defects.

In terms of whether a reasonable period of time has elapsed, this will depend on the nature of the disrepair. For urgent defects such as a broken boiler in winter, immediate remedial action is expected, whereas for matters related to plasterwork or less urgent defects, weeks and even months would be considered reasonable.

Top Tips For Making Housing Disrepair Claims Easier

If you’re a tenant and living in rented property that has defects your landlord won’t remedy, gather or start to gather all the necessary evidence to support making a claim for housing disrepair compensation.

Sometimes landlords react to tenants’ complaints of disrepair by serving eviction notices under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. However, if your tenancy started on or after 1 October 2015, there are steps you can take, for example, if you have complained in writing to your landlord or letting agent or have been served a section 21 following your complaint.

Our property disputes solicitors have the experience to help you at every stage of your housing disrepair claims process – from the initial impartial and no-obligation advice to decide if you have a case and how best to proceed, right through to securing the right amount of compensation for you. Normally a tenant can only claim for the 6 years before any disrepair claim is issued at the County Court, but as with every aspect of the claims process, every situation is unique and your solicitor will be able to tailor all advice and support accordingly to ensure you achieve the best possible outcome.

To speak to one of our professional housing law solicitors about claiming compensation from your landlord for defects in your home, contact us on 0800 988 3674 or email advice@bartletts.co.uk