Understanding Your Rights: A Guide to Housing Disrepair Claims for Tenants

Understanding Your Rights: A Guide to Housing Disrepair Claims for Tenants

May 30, 2025

Living in a property with serious maintenance issues can be more than just frustrating—it can have real consequences for your health, safety, and comfort. Housing disrepair affects thousands of tenants across the UK, especially those living in council or housing association properties. If your landlord fails to carry out essential repairs, you have the right to take legal action and seek compensation.

The Housing Disrepair Team is here to help tenants assert their rights. Our team of experts works with tenants to ensure landlords meet their legal responsibilities. If your complaints have been ignored or repairs neglected, you could be entitled to both repairs and financial compensation.

 

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair refers to conditions within a rented property that have fallen below the standard of living due to a landlord's failure to maintain it properly. These problems often include:

Damp and mould

Leaking roofs, windows, or pipes

Broken heating systems

Faulty electrical wiring

Pest infestations (rats, mice, cockroaches)

Unsafe or broken doors and windows

Structural issues like cracks or collapsing ceilings

Tenants have the right to live in a property that is safe, warm, and well-maintained. If your home suffers from one or more of these issues, you may be eligible to make a claim.

 

Your Landlord’s Legal Responsibilities

Under UK law, social landlords (including councils and housing associations) are required to:

Keep the structure and exterior of the home in repair

Maintain heating, hot water, gas, electricity, and sanitation

Fix any reported issues within a reasonable time

Ensure the property is free from hazards and safe to occupy

Landlords must act quickly, especially when the disrepair affects health or safety. Ignoring your repair requests not only puts you at risk but is a legal breach of their duties.

 

Types of Damage That Can Lead to Claims

Let’s take a closer look at common issues that warrant a disrepair claim:

Damp and Mould

Persistent dampness and black mould can cause respiratory problems, especially in children, the elderly, and those with asthma. It often results from poor insulation, leaks, or lack of ventilation.

Water Leaks

Leaking roofs, pipes, or windows can damage personal property, increase bills, and weaken the home’s structure.

Broken Heating and Hot Water

Living without heat or hot water, particularly in winter, is not only uncomfortable—it’s dangerous and often unlawful.

Infestations

Rats, mice, and bugs signal hygiene or structural issues and must be dealt with promptly.

Faulty Electrics

Wiring problems can lead to power outages or even fires if not repaired quickly.

 

Can I Make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

You may be eligible to make a claim if:

You rent from a housing association or council

You’ve reported the issues to your landlord and they’ve not fixed them

The disrepair has impacted your health, safety, or belongings

The problems have continued despite giving your landlord adequate notice

Importantly, you don’t have to move out of your home to claim compensation. You can stay in your property while the case is ongoing and while repairs are arranged.

 

What Can I Claim For?

If your case is successful, your compensation can cover:

Physical inconvenience (cold, damp, lack of utilities)

Damage to belongings (furniture, clothes, electronics)

Impact on health (respiratory conditions, stress, anxiety)

Extra costs (increased bills, medical expenses)

The amount depends on the severity of the disrepair, how long it lasted, and the effect on your life.

 

How the Housing Disrepair Team Can Help

At Housing Disrepair Team, we handle everything for you:

Free Initial Consultation – Our team assesses your case and advises on next steps.

Professional Survey – A certified surveyor documents the condition of your home.

Legal Representation – We file your claim and manage all communication with your landlord.

No Win, No Fee – You only pay if we win your case, meaning zero financial risk to you.

We’ve successfully helped hundreds of tenants secure compensation and force landlords to fix their homes.

 

Real-Life Client Successes

Liverpool: A tenant lived with a broken boiler and damp bedroom walls for over a year. After working with us, she received £3,800 in compensation and full boiler replacement.

Leeds: A young family suffered due to severe mould and mice infestation. We secured £5,200 and ensured the housing association completed urgent repairs within weeks.

London: A tenant's complaints about a leaking ceiling went unanswered for months. We took legal action, resulting in £4,000 in compensation and full structural repairs.

These cases show that legal action works—and that you don’t have to tolerate poor conditions.

 

What to Do If You’re Affected

Here’s how to take action:

Document Everything
Take photographs of the damage. Save emails, texts, and letters you’ve sent to your landlord.

Give Your Landlord a Chance to Fix It
Legally, landlords must be given time to resolve problems after being notified. Usually, 14–21 days is reasonable depending on the severity.

Contact Us for Help
If nothing changes, don’t wait. Reach out to the Housing Disrepair Team for expert guidance and support.

 

Conclusion: Don’t Suffer in Silence

You have the right to live in a safe, secure, and habitable property. If your landlord has failed to meet their responsibilities, you may be entitled to compensation and legal repairs.

The Housing Disrepair Team is ready to help you take a stand. We’ll guide you through the process and make sure you get the justice you deserve. Don’t wait until things get worse—get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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