Housing Disrepair

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities on Repairs – Disrepair Help

Posted on by Sheik Ashraf

Repair responsibilities of your Social Landlord or Private Landlord

From a statutory point of view, under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the landlord is under a duty to keep in repair things such as :

  • Exterior and structure of the house – this can include any pipes, walls, the roof, drains, windows and external doors
  • Any utility fixtures, for example, fitted heaters, boilers, gas meters, water and gas pipes, water tanks and electrical wirings
  • Basins, sinks, toilets and any pipes connected to them

Your landlord can be held accountable for any of these responsibilities to repair.

There is no way for them to escape these responsibilities, even if your tenancy agreement states otherwise. Contact expert housing disrepair solicitors, they help you in your claim case.

The landlord should not under any circumstances place the burden of any relevant costs on the tenant. They also must deal with any disrepairs within a reasonable timescale, depending on the severity of the disrepair.

Sometimes, the tenancy agreement might contain clauses which state that the landlord will be responsible for repairs in relation to any faulty appliances such as fridges or washing machines. The tenant must ensure they are aware of any such clauses.

Health and safety responsibilities include things such as mould, damp, pest infestation, gas safety, and fire safety and the landlord has a responsibility to take action as needed. If the landlord does not repair the issues contact the housing disrepair team for a compensation claim.

For tenancies that began on or after the 15th of January 1989, these responsibilities also extend to any common parts of a building such as entrance halls, stairs and lifts.

Also Read: What is Housing Disrepair

Your repair responsibilities as a Social Tenant or Private Tenant

Tenants also have responsibilities towards the home they occupy and any repairs and conditions in that home.

These are :

  • Maintaining the home in a reasonably clean manner
  • Carrying out safety checks on any appliances they own
  • Looking after gardens/outside areas in a reasonable manner
  • Take care of any minor maintenance such as changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries

Ensure you report any housing disrepair claims to your landlord as soon as possible to make a claim as a tenant,

You should consider using more than one form of communication and also keeping records of every notice to the landlord.

If you have not received a response from your landlord within a reasonable time, you can consider chasing up the landlord.

You can also complain to the council (if applicable), or take legal action to get compensation for any damages.

What you can do if your landlord ignores your complaints

Before anything, it is worth having a formal discussion with the landlord about why they are ignoring the complaints.

We recommend that you take notes of everything being discussed. If that has no success, there are ways in which a tenant can get the landlord’s attention :

  • Making a formal complaint by way of writing a letter to the landlord; include any issues there are, any action expected from the landlord and all the proof of communication between tenant and landlord
  • Complain to the council by writing them a letter outlining the issues at hand and any attempts to contact the landlord in relation to these issues

Also Read: Damp effect on health

Sheik Ashraf

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Damp and mould can cause serious health and structural problems in a property. If your landlord is responsible for fixing the issue and they have failed to do so, you may be entitled to compensation.

Document the issue, make a claim to your landlord or the courts, and get our experts advice. Your landlord is responsible for providing a safe and habitable living environment, and compensation may be due if they have failed in this obligation.

If you are a tenant and experiencing leaks in the ceiling, roof or tiles, it is likely that your landlord is responsible for fixing the issue. A leaking roof or ceiling can cause significant damage to a property, including water damage, mould growth, and even structural damage. If your landlord has failed to address the issue and you have suffered loss or damage as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

To claim compensation, you should document the issue, including any damage or loss you have suffered, and take photos or videos to demonstrate the extent of the problem. You can then make a claim to your landlord or the courts.

Living in a property with structural defects can be a serious safety risk. If you are a tenant in social housing and your landlord has neglected to repair such defects, resulting in an unsafe or unhealthy living environment, we are here to assist you.

Our team of housing disrepair specialists can help you claim for the necessary repairs and compensation if your landlord has failed to address the structural defects even after being notified of the issue.

We operate on a no win, no fee basis for all social housing disrepair claims, ensuring that you have access to legal assistance without incurring any upfront costs.

If you are experiencing disrepair issues in your home, don't hesitate to reach out to us to see if we can help.

Under the law, your landlord is responsible for ensuring that your rental property is properly maintained. This includes addressing any pest or vermin infestations that may arise, as these can pose serious health and safety risks.

In some cases, the landlord may be held liable for the infestation if it was caused by a pre-existing disrepair issue, such as a hole in the building that the landlord failed to repair. However, if the vermin were present when you moved into the property, the responsibility may fall on you as the tenant.

It's crucial to report any pest or vermin issues to your landlord as soon as possible and to keep detailed records of all communication regarding the matter. This includes any letters, texts, or emails exchanged between you and your landlord, as well as notes from any phone or in-person conversations. Gathering photographic evidence of the infestation can also strengthen your case.

Remember that as a tenant, you have the right to a safe and habitable living space, and your landlord is obligated to take action to address any issues that may arise.

As a tenant, you have the right to expect that your landlord will keep the heating and hot water system in good condition. This includes ensuring that the boiler is checked regularly and a gas safety certificate is produced at least once a year.

If you report a fault with the heating or hot water and you are left without either, your landlord is expected to rectify the problem within a reasonable timeframe, typically within a few days. Failure to do so could result in you being entitled to compensation for any inconvenience caused by your landlord's failure to comply with their legal obligations.

In addition to claiming compensation for any inconvenience, you may also be able to claim for any additional costs incurred as a result of the disrepair. For example, if you have to spend extra money on heating due to the faulty system, you may be able to claim this back from your landlord.

It is important to remember that as a tenant, you have certain rights and responsibilities, and your landlord has a legal obligation to ensure that the property is kept in a safe and habitable condition. If you have any concerns about the condition of your heating or hot water system, you should contact your landlord immediately.

Poorly maintained home can cause physical or mental health issue to you and your family. The Disrepair can cause a direct injury, a direct health issue or exacerbate an ongoing condition. A gas leak, water leak, mould, damp, a broken step or a vermin/ mice infestation are all examples of disrepair that can cause health issues to you and your family . If you or members of your family have suffered from any health issues as a direct result of the poor conditions in your home, we want to help you.

You deserve to be happy and healthy in the place that you live, your health is paramount and at times you may not be sure if your health is affected, Our experts can help.