Frequently Asked Questions

Your landlord is responsible for the structure and exterior of your home (e.g., roof, walls, windows), as well as the installations for sanitation (toilets, sinks), and the supply of utilities like water, gas, and electricity, including heating systems.

The law states repairs must be done in a 'reasonable' amount of time. This varies depending on the issue. An emergency like a total loss of heating in winter should be dealt with within 24 hours, while less urgent repairs may have a longer timeframe.

This is a common defence. Even if a landlord argues a problem like condensation is your "lifestyle", they are often still liable if the property lacks adequate ventilation or insulation. Our expert surveyors can determine the true cause of the disrepair.

Yes, absolutely. Social landlords have the exact same legal responsibilities as private landlords to keep their properties in a good state of repair. We have extensive experience in bringing successful claims against social housing providers.

It means you pay nothing to start your claim and nothing if your claim is unsuccessful. Our legal fees are recovered from your landlord if you win. We then deduct a success fee from your compensation, which is capped at a pre-agreed percentage.

Compensation is primarily calculated as a percentage of your rent, reflecting the severity of the disrepair and how much of your home was affected. It is awarded for the entire period you lived with the problem after reporting it. You can also claim for damaged items and other financial losses, so a severe, long-term case could be worth thousands of pounds.

Yes. If your health, or the health of your family, has been made worse by the disrepair (e.g., respiratory problems from damp and mould), this can form part of your claim as a 'personal injury' element. Medical evidence, such as a letter from your GP, is very important in these cases.

Yes. You can claim for the value of any items that were damaged or destroyed as a direct result of the disrepair, such as clothes ruined by mould, furniture damaged by a leak, or carpets that needed replacing. It is important to keep photos and receipts where possible.

The first step is to contact us for a free, no-obligation assessment. We will listen to your situation and advise you on whether you have a valid claim. If you do, we will explain the 'No Win, No Fee' agreement and send out our initial paperwork.

Yes. A key part of the process is instructing an independent expert surveyor to visit your home. They will inspect the disrepair and write a formal report for the court, detailing the issues and the work required to fix them. We arrange and pay for this report.

The vast majority of housing disrepair claims are settled out of court. Landlords are usually keen to avoid the extra legal costs of a final hearing. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to court to ensure we are in the strongest possible negotiating position.

On average, most housing disrepair claims are settled within 6 to 12 months. More complex cases, or those where the landlord is particularly difficult, can take longer. We will always keep you fully updated on the progress of your case.