Even well-maintained housing is at risk of various disrepair issues, such as collapsed roofs, broken radiators, mould on walls, blocked pipes, and the like. These issues can cause headaches to those living in the housing, not to mention some amount of money to fix.
For tenants and landlords, the battle between who is responsible for what is generally outlined in the tenancy contract. In many cases, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the structure, while the tenant is responsible for smaller tasks, like changing lightbulbs.
Unfortunately, there are some cases when the landlord outright ignores or refuses to fix something that they are responsible for, such as plumbing, structure, utilities, and the like. If you are a tenant dealing with a problematic landlord, you may be eligible to make a housing disrepair claim:
What is a housing disrepair claim?
A housing disrepair claim is a type of lawsuit where the tenant takes legal action against the landlord or any kind of housing association for failing to fix disrepairs within 20 days of the complaint.
How do I make a housing disrepair claim?
Your home is supposed to be a place of peace and comfort. If issues arise, it is vital to notify the landlord immediately about the problem. Generally, you will want to do it by text or email, as this allows you to save the date when you made the complaint.
If nothing is done about the disrepair after a reasonable amount of time, you can take the landlord to court under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985. If you are dealing with a housing association, you will need to contact them immediately and follow the complaints procedure they require. After that, they have a period of eight weeks to fix the problem. If nothing happens, you can then make a claim.
To make claims, you can reach out to any claim services. It will make your efforts much easier and increase your chances of success.
What do I get if I make a housing disrepair claim?
When you make a housing disrepair claim, there are many things you are entitled to. For example, you are entitled to household repairs, compensation for suffering, personal injury, damage to personal property, and more. Note that what you get will be determined on a case-by-case basis, simply because not all claims are the same, and the damages you can get will differ from others.
Conclusion
Making a housing disrepair claim is something you must do, especially if you are dealing with a landlord or housing association that does not act when you are asking for help. That said, make sure that the housing issue is their responsibility and not yours. Otherwise, you will only waste your time. If it is indeed an issue that the landlord or housing association must address, we highly recommend reaching out to a claims company. They will assist your efforts and increase your chances of success.
Consumer Reclaim is comprised of experts on mis-sold products, such as food, services, and insurance, helping consumers regain what was lost through false promises. If you need help making a housing disrepair claim in the UK, work with us today!