Every tenant deserves to live in a home that’s safe, secure, and well-maintained. But for many renters, that ideal is far from reality. From persistent damp and mould to broken boilers, leaking ceilings, and pest infestations, disrepair can severely affect your health, comfort, and daily life. What’s worse, some landlords fail—or outright refuse—to address these problems even after being notified.
If you’ve reported issues and your landlord is ignoring them, it’s important to know that you have legal rights. You don’t have to tolerate poor living conditions, and you may be eligible for repairs and compensation. That’s where housing disrepair experts like Housing Disrepair Team come in—helping tenants across the UK get justice.
What Counts as Housing Disrepair?
Housing disrepair includes any damage or deterioration in your rented home that your landlord is responsible for fixing. This covers both the structure of the building and the essential services needed to live safely.
Common examples of disrepair include:
- Damp and mould caused by leaks or poor ventilation
- Broken heating systems, especially during winter
- Leaking roofs or ceilings
- Damaged windows or doors that don’t lock
- Electrical faults and unsafe wiring
- Blocked drains or defective plumbing
- Pests like mice, rats, or cockroaches due to structural issues
These problems not only affect your comfort—they can pose serious health and safety risks.
What Are Your Landlord’s Legal Duties?
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords have a legal obligation to:
- Keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair
- Maintain heating and hot water systems
- Ensure electrical wiring and plumbing are safe and working
- Address hazards that make the property unfit for habitation
If your landlord fails to meet these responsibilities, and the issue is not your fault (for example, it isn’t caused by misuse or neglect), they are in breach of contract. This gives you the right to take legal action.
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Disrepair Claim
- Report the Problem in Writing
- Always report repairs in writing (email is best) and keep a copy. Describe the issue clearly and include photos if possible.
- Keep a Record
- Maintain a timeline of events. Note when you reported the problem, how your landlord responded (or didn’t), and how the issue has affected your daily life.
- Allow a Reasonable Time to Respond
- Landlords typically have 14–28 days to address non-urgent repairs. Emergencies—such as broken heating in winter—must be handled sooner.
- Contact Your Local Council
- If your landlord ignores you, the council’s Environmental Health department can inspect your home and issue an enforcement notice.
- Get Legal Support
- If nothing is done, it’s time to speak to housing disrepair experts. Housing Disrepair Team can help you file a legal claim to get repairs completed and pursue compensation.
What Can You Claim For?
If you’ve been affected by your landlord’s failure to carry out repairs, you could be entitled to:
- Repairs to make your home safe and habitable
- General damages for inconvenience, stress, and loss of enjoyment
- Special damages to cover financial loss (e.g., replacing damaged belongings, higher heating bills)
- Medical damages if the disrepair has caused or worsened health issues
Some tenants are entitled to claim compensation worth 25%–50% of their rent for the affected period. If you’ve lived with unsafe conditions for months—or even years—the compensation can be significant.
Who Can Make a Claim?
You can make a housing disrepair claim if:
- You are a tenant in a council, housing association, or privately rented property
- You have reported the disrepair to your landlord, and they failed to act
- The disrepair is not caused by your own negligence
- The disrepair is affecting your health, safety, or comfort
You typically need to give the landlord a reasonable chance to fix the problem before you start legal proceedings.
How Housing Disrepair Team Can Help
At Housing Disrepair Team, we specialise in helping tenants stand up to negligent landlords. Our team of experienced housing disrepair experts works on a no win, no fee basis, meaning there’s no cost to you unless we win your case.
We will:
- Assess your eligibility for a claim
- Help you gather evidence
- Instruct independent surveyors to inspect your home
- Represent you throughout the legal process
- Fight for both repairs and maximum compensation
Whether you’re dealing with mould, broken heating, or structural issues, we’re here to support you at every step.
Don’t Let It Slide—Take Action Today
Too many tenants suffer in silence, fearing eviction or being ignored. But the law is on your side, and you don’t have to live in substandard conditions. Taking action isn’t just about your own wellbeing—it’s about holding landlords accountable.
Ready to make a change? Contact the Housing Disrepair Team today and speak with trusted housing disrepair experts who can help you claim what you deserve.