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Home » How To Claim Housing Disrepair Compensation?

How To Claim Housing Disrepair Compensation?

Your home is supposed to be a place of comfort, safety, and rest. But when your property falls into disrepair and your landlord ignores the problem, it can cause stress, extra expenses, and even health issues. If you are facing this situation, you may be entitled to housing disrepair compensation.

This guide will explain, step by step, how to make a claim. It will also help you understand your rights, what landlords are responsible for, what evidence you need, and what kind of compensation you may receive.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair simply means that your rented home is not in a safe or habitable condition. This can include minor or serious issues such as:

  • Damp and mould
  • Broken heating or hot water systems
  • Leaking pipes or faulty plumbing
  • Infestations of rats or insects
  • Faulty wiring or unsafe electrics
  • Rotten doors or windows
  • Broken locks
  • Defective fire alarms or carbon monoxide detectors

If problems like these make your home unsafe, uncomfortable, or unliveable, and your landlord refuses to act, you have the right to claim compensation.

Who Can You Claim Against?

You may be able to bring a claim against:

  • A private landlord
  • A local council, if you live in council housing
  • A housing association

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, tenants in private housing have the same legal protections as council and housing association tenants. This means that regardless of who your landlord is, they must keep your home in a safe condition.

What Are Landlords Responsible For?

According to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Section 11), landlords must repair and maintain:

  • Heating and hot water systems
  • Sanitary installations such as toilets, sinks, and baths
  • Plumbing and drainage systems
  • Electrical wiring and safety installations
  • Doors, windows, and exterior structures
  • Infestations of pests or vermin

If your landlord fails to repair these within a reasonable time after you report them, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

When Can You Make a Claim?

You can make a claim if:

  1. You reported the disrepair to your landlord.
  2. They failed to act within a reasonable time.
  3. The disrepair caused harm to you or your property.

For example:

  • If your boiler has been broken for months and you’ve been left without heating in winter.
  • If mould in your bathroom has been ignored and caused you breathing problems.
  • If your staircase was unsafe, you reported it, but no repairs were made and you suffered an injury.

In such situations, you may be able to claim both for housing disrepair and for personal injury compensation.

Steps To Claim Housing Disrepair Compensation

Step 1: Document the Disrepair

The first step is to gather strong evidence. This will help prove your case. You should:

  • Take photos and videos of the problem (for example, damp walls, leaks, broken appliances).
  • Keep a diary of when the issue started, how long it lasted, and how it affected your daily life.
  • Save receipts if you spent money to cope with the issue (such as buying plug-in heaters or cleaning mould).
  • Collect medical records if you became ill due to the disrepair.
  • Consider an expert report from a surveyor or request an inspection from your local council’s Environmental Health Department.

The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be.

Step 2: Report the Problem to Your Landlord

Before making a legal claim, you must give your landlord the chance to fix the problem.

  • Write to your landlord: Send an email or letter explaining the issue clearly. Keep a copy for your records.
  • Allow a reasonable time: Landlords must be given time to arrange repairs. What is “reasonable” depends on the seriousness of the issue. For example, a broken boiler in winter should be fixed more urgently than a dripping tap.
  • Follow up in writing: If they do not respond, write again. Keep a record of all communication.
  • Request compensation: If you had extra costs or suffered inconvenience, you can ask for compensation directly.

If your landlord ignores you or refuses to act, you can move to the next stage.

Step 3: Follow the Pre-Action Protocol

Before going to court, you must follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims.

This involves sending your landlord a Letter of Claim. The letter should:

  • Describe the problems in detail.
  • Include the evidence you have collected.
  • Request any relevant documents from the landlord (such as repair records).
  • Explain the compensation you are seeking.

Your landlord should respond within a set time. If they fail to provide a satisfactory reply, you can proceed with legal action.

Step 4: Seek Legal Advice

At this stage, it is strongly recommended to get help from a specialist housing disrepair solicitor. They can:

  • Advise you on the strength of your claim.
  • Negotiate with your landlord on your behalf.
  • Take the case to court if necessary.
  • Help you claim both for housing disrepair and for any personal injury you suffered.

Many solicitors offer a No Win, No Fee service, meaning you won’t have to pay legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. This can make pursuing your case less risky.

Step 5: What Can You Claim For?

When you make a housing disrepair claim, you may be able to claim for different types of losses. These are usually divided into general damages and special damages.

General Damages (Injury and Illness)

If you suffered physical or mental health problems due to the disrepair, you may be entitled to compensation. For example:

  • Breathing problems caused by mould
  • Anxiety and stress due to unsafe living conditions
  • Broken bones from an accident caused by faulty structures

Compensation amounts are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). For example:

  • Severe asthma: £52,550 – £80,240
  • Chronic asthma: £32,090 – £52,490
  • Moderate head injury: £52,550 – £110,720
  • Back injury (serious): £47,320 – £85,100

Special Damages (Financial Losses)

These cover any extra costs you had because of the disrepair. They might include:

  • Higher electricity bills (for example, if you had to use plug-in heaters).
  • Replacement costs for damaged belongings (clothes, furniture, bedding).
  • Medical expenses and prescriptions.
  • Travel costs for hospital appointments.
  • Loss of earnings if you were too unwell to work.
  • Costs of care or assistance after an injury.

You will need to provide receipts, invoices, or bank statements to prove these losses.

How Much Compensation Can You Get?

There is no fixed amount for housing disrepair compensation. The total will depend on:

  • The seriousness of the disrepair
  • How long it lasted
  • The impact on your health and daily life
  • Any financial losses you suffered

In some cases, compensation may be a few hundred pounds. In more serious cases involving personal injury or major financial loss, it could run into tens of thousands of pounds.

Why Use a Solicitor?

Although you can start the process yourself, a solicitor can make a big difference. They know how to present your case effectively, negotiate fair compensation, and ensure your landlord takes the matter seriously.

A solicitor can also stop landlords from intimidating you or trying to avoid responsibility. If your case goes to court, legal representation will give you the best chance of success.

Example Situations Where You Could Claim

To give you a clearer picture, here are some examples of when tenants have valid claims:

  • Heating failure: Your boiler has been broken for months, leaving you without hot water or heating. You developed frequent colds and your electricity bills increased due to buying heaters.
  • Bathroom mould: You reported mould in your bathroom, but your landlord ignored it. You developed asthma, and your clothes and bedding were damaged.
  • Unsafe stairs: The staircase in your home was loose and unsafe. Despite reporting it, the landlord did nothing. You tripped, broke your ankle, and had to take time off work.

In each of these cases, you may be entitled to compensation for both the inconvenience and the harm caused.

Final Tips for Tenants

  • Always report disrepair in writing.
  • Keep copies of all emails, letters, and receipts.
  • Take photos and videos to prove the condition of your home.
  • Seek medical advice if your health is affected and keep a record of this.
  • Don’t ignore the problem – landlords have a legal duty to maintain safe homes.

Conclusion

Living in a home that is unsafe or unfit because of disrepair can take a huge toll on your health, finances, and peace of mind. If your landlord fails to take action after you have reported problems, you do not have to suffer in silence.

By gathering evidence, notifying your landlord properly, following the Pre-Action Protocol, and seeking expert legal advice, you can make a strong claim for housing disrepair compensation.

Remember, compensation is there to put you back in the position you would have been in if your landlord had acted responsibly. With the right steps and support, you can hold them accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.