Much attention is given to the damage housing disrepair has on families, especially those with young children. However, older people are often left in situations of housing disrepair that can go unresolved for years. Last month, Westminster City Council agreed to pay £21,000 to an elderly tenant who could not get necessary repairs done on her flat.
Experiencing housing disrepair issues can be stressful, affecting both your comfort and well-being. Fortunately, tenants have legal protections in place to ensure that landlords fulfil their obligations to maintain properties and keep them in repair.
Housing disrepair claims against social housing landlords have substantially increased since the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 came into force in England in March 2020.
When pursuing a housing disrepair claim, it’s important to approach the process strategically to maximise your chances of success.
When renting a property, tenants have certain rights that are protected by law. One of these rights is the right to live in a safe and well-maintained home. However, sometimes landlords fail to maintain their properties, leading to disrepair and potentially hazardous living conditions for tenants. In such cases, tenants have two options: they can make a housing disrepair claim and/or file a complaint with the Housing Ombudsman, after the landlord’s internal complaints process has been exhausted.
Mrs Tuner, who lives in the Borough of Hastings in East Sussex, brought a claim against their social housing landlord Southern Housing at the start of July 2022.
James Pearce’s’ Tip for clients who don’t report disrepair before claim for housing disrepair.
Social housing landlords will have to investigate and fix damp and mould in their properties within strict new time limits, Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced Thursday 9 February.
This Housing Disrepair Claim Guide gives information on housing disrepair claims.
It explains the tenant’s and landlord’s responsibilities to do repairs and what options the tenant has if the landlord doesn’t meet their obligations.
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