April 2022
If you are a council or housing association tenant living in substandard conditions due to leaks, damp, mould, faulty heating, or electrical issues, your home may legally be considered to be in disrepair.
Living in a property like this can be frustrating, stressful, and emotionally exhausting – especially when your landlord ignores your complaints or delays repairs.
The Impact of Living in a Home in Disrepair
Coping with housing disrepair can leave you feeling alone, unheard, and powerless. Many tenants are left asking themselves:
- How can they allow me to live like this?
- What more can I do?
- Why won’t the council listen to me?
Unfortunately, many councils and housing associations fail to properly explain what tenants are legally entitled to – or how to challenge poor living conditions.
What Councils Don't Want You to Know About Housing Disrepair
There are several important things tenants are often not told, including:
- The legal responsibilities of councils and housing associations
- Your rights as a tenant
- How a housing disrepair solicitor can help you.
Understanding these points can make a crucial difference.
Your Council or Housing Association's Legal Responsibilities
It is your landlord’s responsibility to ensure you live in a safe, secure, and well-maintained home. This means they must carry out repairs they are legally responsible for within a reasonable timeframe.
Repairs Your Landlord Is Responsible For
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Damage to the structure and exterior of your home, such as walls, roof, windows, brickwork, guttering, and foundations
- Leaks, damp, and mould, including their underlying causes
- Faults with heating systems, radiators, gas, and electrics
These obligations are set out under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which legally requires councils and housing associations to keep these elements in proper repair and working order.
Your Tenant Rights
Just as your landlord has legal duties, you have legal rights as a tenant. You are entitled to live in a home that is safe and free from disrepair.
Councils and housing associations owe tenants a duty of care. If they fail to repair reported issues, they may be found legally negligent.
In these circumstances, you may be entitled to make a housing disrepair claim.
How a Housing Disrepair Solicitor Can Help
Involving a solicitor may feel daunting, but at NJS Law, we are sympathetic, understanding, and here to support you every step of the way.
How NJS Law Supports Tenants
Our experienced housing disrepair solicitors can:
- Assess whether you have a valid housing disrepair claim
- Take legal action against councils or housing associations
- Ensure essential repairs are completed
- Help you claim compensation where appropriate
There are no upfront costs, and we offer no obligation consultations. If disrepair is affecting your quality of life, damaging your belongings, impacting your health, or causing injury, you are very likely entitled to claim.
Contact NJS Law Today
NJS Law is here for you.
If you are living in housing disrepair and your landlord has failed to act, contact us today to discuss how we can help you improve your living conditions and secure the repairs you deserve.
FIND OUT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM FOR REPAIRS AND COMPENSATION
Average Compensation - £1,895
We work on a NO WIN NO FEE basis
to get your home put right and to get you compensated!
Ask NJS Law
For fast, friendly affordable legal advice. Contact a member of our team today.