Suing Landlords for Accidents at Home
A tenant may make a personal injury claim against their landlord if disrepair at a rented property has resulted in an accident which has caused an injury. Under UK law, all landlords must make sure that the properties they rent out to tenants are safe to live in. Landlords usually have insurance to cover themselves in the event of a claim being made against them by injured tenants, and compensation in such cases will reflect the full impact that disrepair at a property and a subsequent accident, injury or illness has had on a person’s life.
Landlords Must Address Disrepair Issues Promptly
Once a tenant has informed their landlord about a safety issue at a rented property, the latter must rectify the problem within a ‘reasonable’ time frame. The Housing Disrepair Protocol 2003 sets down the landlord’ duty to at least address a tenants’ concerns within 21 days, and have a credible plan in place for swiftly and efficiently carrying out the necessary repair work. Certain disrepair issues at properties are more serious, such as when a ceiling is at risk of collapse, a heating appliance is malfunctioning in winter or floorboards are rotten from damp, and must therefore be addressed and repaired by landlords as quickly as possible.
Landlords Must Maintain Properties in State of Good Repair
Landlords are responsible for the safe functioning of installations supplying water, gas and electricity to a property, as well as the safe condition of fixtures and fittings including carpets, bathroom suites and cupboards. The state of roofs and gutters is also the landlord’s responsibility, as water leaking into a property can quickly lead to a damp and mould problem with associated health risks for tenants. Communal areas in blocks of flats and other residential developments must be maintained in a state of good repair, including stairwells, receptions, gardens, terraces and car parks.
Solicitors Suing Landlords for Injuries Caused by Disrepair
If you are living in a property which is in a state of disrepair, the first step is to write to the landlord detailing the problems. If a landlord fails to address legitimate concerns raised by a tenant about the state of a rented property, they will be liable for any injuries or illnesses resulting from the disrepair. Tenants in this situation can contact our solicitors about making a personal claim against their landlord. We can help you claim compensation from your private landlord, housing association or council housing department on a no win no fee basis.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
