Housing Disrepair Claim

What is a housing disrepair claim?

A housing disrepair claim is a legal claim to get repairs completed and compensation if you are living in disrepair that has been reported to your landlord but your landlord has failed to repair within a reasonable time.

Compensation is a legal right intended to reflect the level of rent paid for the property in the condition that it was in during the disrepair period.

Compensation is recovered from your landlord. The amount of compensation you may receive will depend on the severity of the disrepair, the length of time you have been living with the disrepair and the effect it has had on your life. Our specialist no win no fee solicitors have significant experience successfully claiming on behalf of people who have lived with disrepair.

What are the most common types of housing disrepair claims?

There are a whole host of issues that can befall renters and rental properties that might spur you on to make a claim. We’ve put together a list of some of the most common:

• Damp and mould
• Plumbing issues
• Structural damage
• Lack of heating or hot water
• Electrical hazards
• Infestations

There are many more reasons why you might want to make a housing disrepair claim, but these are the most common that we at Express Solicitors deal with.

When can I make a claim for housing disrepair?

You can begin a claim for housing disrepair when you have notified your landlord of any of the above problems with your rental property and they have chosen to not sort it out within a reasonable timeframe. You must have given them proper notice, ideally in writing, and should keep a record of any communication you have had with the landlord regarding the issue.

Use this handy eligibility checklist to see if you’re eligible to make a claim:

If all answers are yes, you can proceed with your claim.

How do I make a claim for housing disrepair?

There are a few key steps to filing a housing disrepair claim:

1. Notify your landlord of the problem with the property.
2. Take photos, keep records of communication and hold onto medical reports if the problem has affected your health.
3. Get in touch with our solicitors and explain your position.
4. Begin the claims process. We’ll help you do this and handle negotiations on your behalf.

How much does it cost to file a claim for housing disrepair compensation?

At Express Solicitors, we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means that you won’t pay a penny unless we are successful in bringing home the win for you. With this in place, you can start a claim without the worry of financial risk.

How much compensation can I receive for housing disrepair?

The level of compensation you should expect to receive depends on the severity of the disrepair, how it is impacting you as a tenant, whether it is damaging your personal property and how inconvenient it has made everyday life. For a better idea of the level of compensation you should expect, use our helpful compensation calculator:

How long does a housing disrepair claim take?

As with all legal compensation claims, the length of time a housing disrepair claim can take will vary greatly from case to case. A straightforward case with a clear person at fault and simple next steps could be sorted within a few months, but more complex cases can take much longer. This is especially so if your landlord disputes the claim.

What evidence do I require for a housing disrepair claim?

Gathering evidence for a housing disrepair claim is a vital part of ensuring your claim is successful. You should aim to gather together as much as you can when you bring the claim against your landlord. Here’s what we suggest:

• Photographic evidence — Document the problem with the rental property with clear photos, highlighting any hazards for review. Also, take photographs of any injuries or personal property damage caused because of the problem to record the extent and severity.
• Medical records — Gather all pertinent medical documents, such as doctor’s notes, X-rays, and other relevant reports. These documents are essential to your case.
• Witness statements — Compile contact information from witnesses and collect their accounts of the problem. Witness statements can significantly assist in your claim.
• Personal diary — Maintain a diary detailing the impact of the problem on your daily activities. This could include loss of work (if you are home-based), lack of sleep and more.

If you require assistance in gathering or organising evidence for your claim, our experienced solicitors are here to guide you through the entire process.

What are the time limits for making a housing disrepair claim?

The usual time limit to claim for housing disrepair is six years in the UK. However, if you have been injured or fallen ill because of the problem with your property, you will only have three years to make a personal injury claim. 

Why choose Express Solicitors?

At Express, we have over 20 years experience in handling legal claims. Our mission is to secure the justice you deserve for any suffering you have experienced, either down to personal injury or a range of other grievances.

With our no-win, no-fee arrangements, you can kick off a housing disrepair claim without stressing over upfront costs or legal fees.

We’re proud of our “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot and our accreditation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). It shows just how committed we are to professional integrity and making our clients happy.

So, why wait? Reach out today to kickstart your housing disrepair claim and see how much you might be entitled to.