What are landlords legally bound by?

Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 it is stated that it is the landlord’s responsibility of maintaining:

1. The structure and exterior of the property or dwelling, including drains and gutters.
2. The installations that supply your essentials such as water, gas, electricity, and sanitary installations like your baths, basins, etc.
3. And finally, the installations that supply heating, such as central heating and water heating.

The tenancy agreement discloses that these are expected to be kept in repair and proper working order and is the obligation of your landlord to do so.

What are the signs of disrepair?

These may include issues such as defective brickwork, roofing, and windows.
Faulty or damaged electrics, guttering, and heating.
As well as the more common nuisances like damp, mould, and leaks.

These not only compromise your home but also your physical and mental health. It can inconvenience your day to day, making living in the home uncomfortable. Mould and damp can be deteriorating to your health and trigger respiratory illnesses. Other health hazards like unsafe structures and fittings can cause physical injuries. A small fault in the roof may leak water into your home and damage your belongings. And it is not only frustrating to live with but frustrating when a landlord refuses to acknowledge or fix the problem.

But what aren’t signs of disrepair?

Whilst it is the landlord’s duty to repair and maintain reasonable living standards, it can be unclear concerning what isn’t. So, what is the tenant’s duty?

– General upkeep of the house including cleaning, changing lightbulbs or the batteries in your smoke alarms.
– Repairing any damage caused by yourself or visitors.
– Repairing any personal belongings brought into the house, including white goods if you personally own them.
– Home improvements that are considered upgrades to the property.

So, what are my next steps?

1) Contact your landlord and keep records for evidence. This can be pictures of the disrepairs, conversations you may have had through email or text, a diary with the timeline of events, and even letters from your GP if the problem is affecting your health.

2) Contact us at NJS Law and we will put you in contact with one of our Housing Disrepair Specialists who will help guide you through the process. We can help you with the next steps, which may include:

– Ensuring your landlord, housing association, or council, legally complete all the repairs.

– Claim compensation for possible inconveniences, damage to personal belongings, or even personal injury.

How much is this going to cost me?

The last thing a renter needs is another cost to add to the growing list of expenses. Here at NJS Law, we handle Housing Disrepair claims on a No Win No Fee basis.

Don’t wait any longer than you already have, call or email NJS Law today.