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Housing Disrepair Claims

Claim Compensation if your Private or Social Housing Landlord failed to carry out repairs in your home.

If your landlord has failed to fix serious disrepair issues in your home, you may be entitled to repairs and compensation. Our expert housing disrepair solicitors can help you understand your rights and take action on a No Win, No Fee basis.

Get the compensation your deserve with our expert No win No fee Housing Disrepair Solicitors. Contact us today to see if you have a claim.

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Making a Housing Disrepair Claim

Claiming for housing disrepair can include the following:

A claim for compensation for the cost of the repairs to the property

Personal injury related to the conditions such as asthma caused by damp or mould

Inconvenience due to the Landlords failure to repair and any disruption caused by the works

A claim for reduction or refund of rent if they haven’t been able to use part of or all of their home because of the disrepair

A potential claim for damage to belongings or furniture caused, for example, by damp and mould

Key Points to Consider When Making a Housing Disrepair Claim:

You may be eligible to claim if your landlord has failed to carry out necessary repairs despite being informed of the issue.
Compensation can be recovered alongside forcing your landlord to complete the required repairs.
Claims can include compensation for damaged personal belongings, such as furniture or clothing, caused by the disrepair.
In most cases, you have up to six (6) years to make a claim, although certain exceptions may apply.
If the disrepair has caused you injury or affected your health, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
The amount of compensation depends on factors such as the severity of the disrepair, the duration of the issue, and the impact on your daily life.

Common Types of Housing Disrepair Claims

Tenants may experience a variety of issues that could justify a housing disrepair claim. Some of the most frequently reported problems include:

Damp and mould – Can cause respiratory issues and damage belongings.
Plumbing issues – Leaks, blocked drains, or faulty pipework leading to water damage.
Structural damage – Cracks, subsidence, or other defects that compromise safety.
Lack of heating or hot water – Making the home uninhabitable, especially in winter.
Electrical hazards – Faulty wiring or exposed electrical components posing a risk.
Infestations – Issues with pests such as rodents, cockroaches, or bedbugs.

While these are some of the most common concerns, many other types of disrepair can justify a claim. If you are experiencing housing issues, our expert team can advise on your legal rights and help you seek repairs and compensation.

0151 306 3694

When Can You Make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

You may be eligible to make a housing disrepair claim if you have reported an issue with your rental property to your landlord, but they have failed to carry out the necessary repairs within a reasonable timeframe.

It is important to provide proper notice—preferably in writing—and keep records of all communication regarding the issue.

Claim Eligibility Checklist

Use this checklist to determine whether you can proceed with a claim:

Condition	Yes	No
Have you made your landlord aware of the problem in your rented property?	☐	☐
Has your landlord failed to fix the problem within a reasonable time?	☐	☐
Can you provide evidence of both? This can include photos, emails, and letters.	☐	☐

If you have answered “yes” to all the above, you may have grounds to make a claim. Our expert team can guide you through the process and help you seek both repairs and compensation.

How to Make a Housing Disrepair Claim

Filing a housing disrepair claim involves several key steps:

Notify Your Landlord – Inform your landlord about the issue in writing and allow them a reasonable amount of time to carry out repairs.
Gather Evidence – Take photographs of the disrepair, keep records of all communication with your landlord, and retain any medical reports if your health has been affected.
Contact Our Solicitors – Get in touch with our team to discuss your situation and determine if you have a valid claim.
Start the Claims Process – If eligible, we will handle the legal proceedings and negotiations on your behalf to seek the best possible outcome.

How Much Does It Cost to File a Housing Disrepair Claim?

We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you won’t need to pay anything upfront. You will only be required to pay a fee if your claim is successful, making the process risk-free for you. You can read more about how the No win no fee arrangement works on our Fees page.

Do landlords have any responsibilities?

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords are legally required to maintain their rental properties to a safe and habitable standard. Their key responsibilities include:

Structural maintenance – Ensuring the roof, walls, and foundations are kept in good repair.
Heating and hot water – Maintaining functional heating systems and hot water supply.
Plumbing and drainage – Keeping drainage, sewage systems, and plumbing in working order.
Electrical safety – Ensuring wiring and electrical installations are safe and operational.
Pest control – Addressing infestations where they pose a risk to health and safety.

If a landlord fails to carry out these essential repairs after being notified, tenants may have the right to make a housing disrepair claim for necessary repairs and potential compensation.

If you are a private renter, your landlord is also legally required to protect your tenancy deposit in a government-backed scheme. If they (or your letting agent) failed to protect your Tenancy Deposit in a government-backed deposit protection scheme, you could be owed 3x your deposit in compensation

How Much Compensation Can You Get for Housing Disrepair?

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to depends on:

The severity of the disrepair and how long it has been ongoing.
The impact on your daily life, including any health issues caused by the disrepair.
Any damage to your personal belongings resulting from the issue.

For a better idea of your potential compensation, contact our team for a personalised assessment.

Client Testimonials

Absolutely first class service. We cannot thank Alisha and her team enough… Alisha has dealt with the disrepair case from the start and we have had first class service. She has obtained a fantastic settlement for us… Read more

Mark Flanagan

Richard is head and shoulders a cut above as is the team, Lucas and Joe who I have spoken with.
This Team assured then reassured me by their deeds, actions and written words… Read more

I received professional care from start to finish from the young man that helped me, he was kind, considerate and patient…. Read more

Jayne McGuinness

Very pleasant staff. Efficient and quick sevice. Reasonable price… Read more

nick wiffen

My Solicitor Rebecca Beesley was amazing from start to finish swift process and kept me updated from start to finish and the whole thing took less than 6 months!…. Read more

Consumer

Outstanding professional service by Phoenix legal. We had a deposit dispute with our previous landlord that didn’t secure our deposit for over 5 years and also tried to make a false claim of damages…. Read more

Salah

How long does a housing disrepair claim take?

As with all legal compensation claims, the length of time a housing disrepair claim can take will vary greatly from case to case.

A straightforward case where the landlord accepts responsibility and agrees to carry out repairs can often be resolved within a few months. But more complex cases can take much longer. This is especially so if your landlord disputes the claim.

Our solicitors will keep you informed throughout the process and work to achieve a resolution as efficiently as possible.

What evidence is needed to support a successful claim?

Your housing disrepair claim can be supported by the following:

Photographic Evidence – Clear photos of the disrepair, highlighting any hazards. If the issue has caused damage to your personal belongings or affected your health, document this as well.
Medical Records – If the disrepair has impacted your health, obtain medical reports, doctor’s notes, or prescriptions to demonstrate the effects.
Personal Diary – A record of how the disrepair has affected your daily life, including loss of sleep, increased living costs, or difficulty carrying out routine tasks can all form part of your claim.
Witness Statements – Statements from neighbours, visitors, or professionals who have witnessed the disrepair and its impact can also support your claim.

If you need help collecting or organising your evidence, our expert solicitors are on hand to assist you throughout the process. The more evidence you have, the better chances of your claim being succesfull.

What Are the Time Limits for Making a Housing Disrepair Claim?

In England and Wales, the standard time limit for making a housing disrepair claim is six (6) years from the date the issue was first reported to your landlord.

However, if the disrepair has caused you to suffer an illness or injury, a personal injury claim must be made within three (3) years from the date the illness or injury was diagnosed.

If you believe you may have a claim, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss any deadlines. Our experienced solicitors can assess your case and guide you through the process.

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Is Legal Aid available for Housing Disrepair Claims?

Legal aid is only available in Housing Disrepair claims where the disrepair is a serious risk to a person’s health and safety so most claims do not qualify.

There is also no costs protection in Housing Disrepair claims and so a policy of insurance will be needed if you wish us to act on a no win no fee basis which we can obtain for you.*

* Subject to entering into a No Win No Fee agreement in conjunction with an After the Event insurance policy and complying with your responsibilities under its terms.

What Is a Housing Disrepair Claim?

A housing disrepair claim is a legal process that allows tenants to seek necessary repairs and financial compensation when their landlord fails to address reported issues within a reasonable timeframe.

Compensation is awarded based on the extent of the disrepair, the duration it remained unresolved, and the impact it had on the tenant’s living conditions. This amount is typically calculated as a proportion of the rent paid while the property was in a substandard state.

Claims are made directly against the landlord, and our no win, no fee solicitors have extensive experience in securing both repairs and compensation for tenants affected by disrepair.

Housing Disrepair Claims

Making a Housing Disrepair Claim

Key Points to Consider When Making a Housing Disrepair Claim:

Start your No Win, No Fee Housing Disrepair Claim Today