If you live in a rented property and the landlord fails to fix it, you may have a claim for housing disrepair. This can be for things like mouldy walls, leaking pipes or faulty boilers.
Landlords are required by law to ensure that they keep the buildings and their repair installations for gas, water, electricity, sanitation and fire safety in good condition.
Damage to your belongings
Housing disrepair claims can be made against landlords for letting a property that is not safe to live in. This can be due to the property not having been maintained properly or it may be a case that the landlord knew about problems in the property but failed to fix them or did so later than they should have done.
Damage to your belongings can include mould-affected clothing and bedding, carpets ruined by a leak or electrical appliances damaged by electrical problems. Compensation for these damages will only cover the cost to you of repairing or replacing them, but will not necessarily be equal to the price of the item new.
It is important to have evidence of the damages to your belongings as it will help to satisfy the court that you have suffered losses. This can include pictures of the items showing their extent and how they started being damaged and photographs of any receipts or proof of purchases that you have incurred as a result of the disrepair in question.
Ill health
Whether you are a tenant of a council house, housing association property or in the private rental sector, if your landlord fails to make sure the property is fit for human habitation then it can have an adverse impact on your health. If this happens and you suffer from an illness, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Contact housing disrepair solicitors London they help you in your claim case.
The most important thing to remember is that your landlord has a legal duty to keep your home in good working order, including maintaining electrical wiring, plug sockets, plumbing and fire safety measures. They are also responsible for removing dangerous items like asbestos and ensuring your home is free from mould.
Often, this can result in a number of physical injuries, which you would never have suffered if the property had been maintained properly. These include trips, falls and burns – and if the disrepair was caused by your landlord you may have a legitimate case for compensation.
Inconvenience
Housing disrepair claims are a common problem and one that can be particularly inconvenient for tenants. They can involve anything from mould and damp, leaks, or a rodent infestation to damage to the garden.
These can cause a range of inconveniences, including increased heating bills and the need to purchase cleaning products. This can also be a source of stress and anxiety for residents.
If you are a tenant and your landlord has failed to carry out repairs, you should report them as soon as possible. They may be liable to a claim for damages for their failure, and if you are successful, you will be awarded compensation for the cost of the repairs.
The amount that you will be awarded depends on the severity of the deterioration, and how long it has been left unattended. This can vary between 25 and 50% of the rent you paid during that period.
Damage to the property
When you live in a rented property, your landlord has an obligation to repair the property as soon as they notice any damage. This is a legal requirement for both council and private tenants.
If your landlord fails to repair any damage within a reasonable time after you report it, you can make a claim for compensation. These damages can include damp on the walls or condensation in your windows, plumbing problems and loose floorboards.
You can also claim damage to your belongings, such as your clothes and bedding. This can be because of mould or a leaking pipe that has been left untreated for an extended period of time.
Your solicitor will organize a triage assessor to visit your home to inspect the damages and sort out any repairs. They will then be able to give you advice on how much compensation you could receive. This will be calculated based on the percentage of your rent that the disrepair impacted during the duration it was there.