If you reside in social housing and your landlord fails to address any reported disrepair issues within an acceptable timeline, compensation may be available. Claims could include damage to belongings, financial loss, or any resulting ill health effects. The best guide to finding Housing Disrepair Solicitors.
Landlords are responsible for making various repairs that are detailed in the tenancy agreement as specific performance obligations.
Damage to the property
Renters of homes privately, through council housing associations or housing associations, have the right to live in safe and secure properties. Landlords are legally required to keep rental properties in good repair; when issues arise that compromise this obligation, you have the option of filing a disrepair claim against them.
Landlords must address all issues within their repairing obligations. These may include leaks, pest damage, and heating systems not functioning as expected. It is best to report these issues immediately upon their occurrence, and if your landlord fails to act, you have every right to make disrepair claims against them.
Note that if you rent your property through a tenancy agreement, it is essential that both parties understand their responsibilities and rights under it – this includes an obligation to allow access for inspections or works as per the terms of your tenancy agreement.
Note also that making a disrepair claim against your landlord won’t get you evicted; although this might make people who owe arrears nervous, this is untrue and should not worry them in the slightest. For this reason, it is highly advised to contact solicitors or experts in housing disrepair claims who specialize in housing disrepair claims in order to file your claim and receive any necessary compensation that might be due.
Damage to your belongings
Landlords have the legal obligation to maintain the condition of their properties acceptably for tenants and themselves to prevent damage occurring both structurally and to furnishings belonging to tenants. When this happens, damage may occur to both structures as well as furnishings belonging to them – particularly if affected items become affected by dampness or other forms of disrepair issues; compensation claims can then be filed to cover repair or replacement costs incurred as a result of these incidents.
Tenants who experience any issues with their accommodation should document these in writing and take photos to provide evidence. This will create a record of attempts made at getting the landlord to address it while also showing its true impact.
A tenancy agreement should outline all of a landlord’s repair responsibilities for both structural and interior repair of their property, toilets, heating and hot water systems, electrical wiring installations, and gas appliances, as well as external areas like drains, guttering, or any pathways or stairs leading to it.
If a landlord fails to fulfill their repair responsibilities and damages the property or furniture, a compensation claim can be filed for the cost. This claim’s value depends on both its severity and the length of time since it was caused.
Ill health
The physical decline of a property can have an adverse impact on tenants’ health, such as mold growth and vermin infestation causing a statutory nuisance, leaky plumbing or guttering, or boiler issues that prevent access to water or heating sources.
Landlords have the responsibility of making sure the homes they rent out are safe and suitable to live in, and any failure by them to do so entitles you to make a housing disrepair claim against them. Depending on the severity of disrepair, compensation could include extra living expenses or lost earnings as a result.
Compensating for illness caused by living in disrepair can also be included as part of your compensation award. You can claim for any respiratory or skin irritations due to dampness exposure or mental health conditions like anxiety and depression exacerbated or caused by living in disrepair.
Those who believe they have valid housing disrepair claims can reach out to Imperium Law on a No Win No Fee basis to discuss their case and explore legal representation without worrying about upfront legal fees. Their team of experienced housing disrepair solicitors provides support and expertise with empathy while leading them through the claims process.
Inconvenience
Landlords must ensure their properties are safe and suitable for habitation, and any failure on their part could give rise to legal claims from tenants who were inconvenienced due to damage done to possessions, appliances, or computers, as well as possible health effects caused by disrepair.
An experienced housing disrepair solicitor will be able to assess your case and offer advice about the most effective course of action. They can assist in gathering evidence, such as copies of your tenancy agreement, communications between yourself and your landlord, and any photographic or video evidence showing problems within the property. They may also advise keeping receipts for expenses related to living in it.
Generally speaking, if the disrepair has lasted longer than 12 weeks, you should receive compensation equal to a percentage of your monthly rent. However, this depends on its severity as well as whether or not you had moved out during that timeframe. An experienced disrepair solicitor can explain all the steps involved and help pursue your claim so you get what is owed to you.
Read also: Navigating TPD Claims: Your Ultimate Guide
