Housing Disrepair

What is housing disrepair?

Posted on by Sheik Ashraf
Housing Disrepair
30
Nov

Housing Disrepair is referred to anything which substitutes for a property becoming unsatisfactory and unfit for habitation, the responsibility of the disrepair is subject to the Landlord of the property.

Due to recent government changes, those who rent are subject to moderate responses to states of disrepair and immediate improvements are needed within areas such as quality and security.

Tenants often live in poor conditions on the property and more than 7 in 10 have suffered from health and safety issues. Contact our expert housing disrepair solicitors for claim compensation.

Are you suffering from housing disrepair?

If tenants are suffering at the property they can make a housing disrepair claim on the grounds of; infestations of insects and rodents, and damp and mould growth on walls, floors and ceilings.

Broken/faulty boiler resulting in inadequate heating and hot water, defective windows and doors, faulty wiring, internal/external structures such as wallpaper, carpets and paint also leaks and water damages from the roof, bathroom, pipes and windows.

In a high majority of these cases, the issues are already present when the tenants move in, resulting in financially fixing the issues themselves with the threat of not being refunded for their costs.

The landlord has a legal duty towards maintaining the property and ensuring it has remained in a consistent good state of repair and the legal occupiers are safe and living comfortably within the property.

If the tenant has consistently been notified. The landlord is to address any examples of disrepair within a reasonable time period. If the damage has not been repaired they are then eligible and entitled to compensation.

Within the Civil Procedure Rules, including a Housing Disrepair Protocol to be pursued for a claim when carried out correctly.

The Protocol describes court expectations of a housing disrepair claim to start the initial legal proceedings, this is enforced with the intention to encourage the exchange of information from the parties at the earliest stage and achieve an appropriate resolution to the issues.

Also Read: Effects of Sleeping in a Damp Room?

The courts expect legal action to be used only as a measure of last resort

The steps of a Housing Disrepair claim are as follows;

  1. Letter of Claim

  • Summarising the personal details of the claimant,
  • Details of the defects within the property,
  • History of the outstanding defects and any attempts to rectify them,
  • The effects the defects have caused upon the tenant – medical, injury etc,
  • Letter of instruction to the expert,
  • Details of any special damages,
  • Claimants disclosure of any relevant documents,
  • A request for disclosure from the Landlord relevant to the disrepair

  1. The Landlords Response

  • The Landlord should initially respond within 20 working days from the receipt of the letter of claim.
  • The response should therefore disclose the requested information including the relevant documents and records.
  • If there is no response within the time period legal proceedings can be issued.

  1. Admission or denial of liability

  • The Landlord should declare liability or dispute,
  • Produce a full schedule of the intended works, anticipated starts and completion dates including timetables and dates,
  • Offers of compensation and initial costs covering the damages.
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.