Storm Darragh, along with previous storms such as Babet and Agnes from Autumn 2023, has caused widespread devastation across the UK, leaving many homes severely damaged.
If you live in a council house or a social housing association property that’s been affected, it’s essential to act quickly to ensure repairs are made and your rights as a tenant are met.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate this situation with confidence and ease.
1. Assess the damage
Start by reviewing the extent of the damage, checking for:
- Structural problems, such as cracks in walls, damaged roofs, or collapsed ceilings.
- Water damage, including leaks, damp patches, or flooding.
- Broken windows or doors.
- Issues with essential services like plumbing, heating, or electricity.
Document everything! Take detailed notes and photographs to create a record of the damage.
This evidence will be crucial when reporting the issue to your council or housing association.
2. Contact your Landlord (Council or Housing Association)
Your Landlord is legally responsible for maintaining the property and addressing disrepair.
Notify them of the damage as soon as possible by:
- Calling their repair hotline
- Sending an email or letter
- You can also report through your Landlords online portal, if available
Keep copies of all correspondence for your records.
3. Ensure necessary repairs are carried out
After reporting the damage, your Landlord should arrange an inspection and begin repairs.
The timeline depends on the severity of the issue:
- Emergency repairs such as structural collapse or major leaks should be addressed within 24 hours.
- Urgent repairs like heating failure or minor leaks should typically be resolved within a week.
- Routine repairs that are less critical issues may take longer but should still be dealt with within a reasonable timeframe.
If repairs are not carried out promptly, continue to report the issues to your Landlord.
4. Know your rights and legal options
As a tenant, you have the right to live in a property that is safe and free from disrepair.
Landlords are obligated to maintain properties to a habitable standard. If they fail to deal with the disrepair in the property you are entitled to bring a claim to get these repairs sorted!
In addition, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- The inconvenience caused by the disrepair.
- Damage to personal belongings.
- Health issues resulting from poor living conditions, such as damp or mould.
5. Get in touch with legal experts
If your Landlord continues to ignore your requests for repairs, it may be time to seek professional help.
Our team of housing disrepair experts specialise in bringing claims against landlords to ensure works are completed at the property and achieving compensation for the tenant.
We understand how overwhelming housing disrepair issues can be and are dedicated to helping tenants get their property repaired to a standard they deserve.
If your Landlord has ignored your requests for repairs for a reasonable period of time, or if they’ve refused to act despite repeated contact, let us help.
The team at Liberay Legal will guide you through the process of claiming compensation and will ensure your home is repaired to a safe standard.
Don’t let Storm Darragh’s damage leave you feeling powerless. Contact our team and we’ll stand by your side, offering support, guidance, and a path to resolution.
