We understand how distressing and unsafe it can be to endure poor living conditions.
Our aim is for our clients to enjoy a home that is fit to live in.
Unfortunately, some landlords neglect their responsibilities, leaving tenants to suffer in substandard housing.
That’s why our experienced team at Liberay Legal has put together a guide so you know how to bring a claim for repairs to your property and compensation!
Discover:
- What counts as housing disrepair?
- The steps involved in a housing disrepair complaint
- Expectations when making a housing disrepair claim
- Understanding compensation in a housing disrepair claim
What counts as housing disrepair?
Housing disrepair refers to situations where a property is not to an acceptable standard, which can cause distress and inconvenience to the tenants.
Examples include:
- Damp or mould issues
- Leaking roofs
- Structural problems, such as cracks or subsidence
- Pest infestations due to poor property maintenance
- Defective windows
Find out more about housing disrepair.
What steps are involved in a housing disrepair complaint?
Step 1: Putting in your complaint to your council or housing association
Before reaching out to our disrepair solicitors, you will need to contact your council or housing association to report the disrepair to them and to allow sufficient time to address the requested repairs.
To do this, you can contact your Landlord by phone, email, letter or the online repair portal if this is an available option.
Supporting evidence, such as photos or videos, are helpful to strengthen your case.
Save all correspondence securely throughout the process, as this evidence will be useful when pursuing your claim.
If you have any questions, get in touch with our team for guidance and advice.
Step 2: Contacting our team
After allowing sufficient time for your Landlord to fix the issues, our experienced Housing Disrepair team will be able to review the case on your behalf, to see if you qualify for compensation.
To be eligible for a housing disrepair claim, you must have:
- Reported the issue and informed your landlord, housing association or council. Keep all records of communication to support your case.
- Allowed reasonable time for repairs to be made.
Find out more on how to claim housing disrepair.
What to expect if you’re making a housing disrepair claim
We will carefully review and assess your case to ensure you qualify to make a claim. We will proceed with your claim if we believe there is a strong chance you will win.
Once your claim is accepted, we will arrange for a professional surveyor to inspect your property and prepare a report that sets out all the disrepair work required. Your landlord may also wish to attend this inspection so that any necessary repairs can be discussed and agreed upon.
The surveyor will then produce a detailed report. Once you have read it and confirmed your agreement, the report will be sent to your Landlord. This will provide a clear understanding of the required repairs.
Following this, our team will work with your landlord to ensure the necessary repairs are completed to a high standard.
We will then calculate the compensation you may be entitled to for the issues caused by the disrepair. At this stage, we will negotiate the settlement of your claim directly with your landlord to secure a fair resolution. You will be updated and consulted with throughout this process.
What is compensation in a housing disrepair claim?
In a housing disrepair claim, compensation is typically awarded to address the impact of disrepair on the tenant’s life, and any resulting financial losses.
Compensation may cover:
- General damages: for discomfort or disruption to your daily life, based on its impact on your well-being.
- Special damages: reimbursement for costs incurred due to disrepair, such as higher utility bills, property damage, or damaged furniture.
What factors can affect compensation?
The amount of compensation will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- The severity of the disrepair.
- The length of time the disrepair persisted without resolution after being reported to your Landlord.
- The extent to which the disrepair disrupted your life or caused harm.
- The strength of your evidence from the surveyor and evidence in support of your financial losses.
By working with us, you can ensure that all these factors are considered to maximise the compensation you are entitled to.
If you think you have a claim that we can help you with, please, get in touch with our team today so we can help you get the changes you need.
