Unsafe Flooring & Stairs Claims
Loose floorboards, broken tiles, or dangerous stairs create a serious risk of injury. Your landlord has a duty to ensure your home is safe to walk in.
Start Your ClaimWhat is Unsafe Flooring Disrepair?
Unsafe flooring and stairs constitute a serious disrepair issue that poses a direct risk of injury from trips, slips, and falls. This can include loose or rotten floorboards, broken or uneven paving stones in a yard, frayed carpets on a communal stairway, or a broken handrail on a staircase. Any part of the floor or stairs that is not in a safe, usable condition can be grounds for a claim.
A Direct Risk of Injury
Your Landlord's Duty to Keep You Safe
Duty of Care
Your landlord's duty to maintain the structure of the property includes the floors and staircases. Under the Defective Premises Act 1972, they also have a duty of care to ensure you are reasonably safe from personal injury. If they know about a defect (because you've reported it) and fail to fix it, they are liable for any injuries or suffering it causes.
What Your Claim Can Secure
A successful claim will not only get the hazardous area repaired but can also provide compensation if you have been injured.
Personal Injury Compensation
If you have been injured due to the disrepair, you can claim compensation for your pain, suffering, and any financial losses (like lost earnings).
Order for Safety Repairs
A court order to force your landlord to carry out all necessary repairs to make the flooring and stairs safe for you and your family.
Key Evidence to Collect
To build a strong case, be sure to document everything:
- Photos of the hazard
- Written proof of reporting the issue
- Medical records if you were injured
- Details of any financial losses
Unsafe Flooring & Stairs FAQs
Yes. Even if you weren't seriously injured, you can still claim for the disrepair itself. The compensation would be for the inconvenience and risk you were exposed to. If you suffered any minor injury, you can still claim for that pain and suffering.
Yes. Your landlord's responsibility covers the structure and exterior of the property, which includes paths, steps, and yards that are part of your tenancy. A broken slab is a clear trip hazard they are obliged to repair.
An injury to a child is taken very seriously. A claim can be made on the child's behalf, and any compensation awarded is usually held in a court-protected fund until they turn 18. The fact that the landlord's negligence caused injury to a child will likely increase the value of the claim.
Your landlord is responsible for keeping any common areas, such as hallways and staircases in a block of flats, in a safe condition. If a worn carpet presents a trip hazard and they have failed to replace it, they are liable for any injuries it causes.
The amount depends entirely on the severity of your injuries. It is calculated based on official judicial guidelines and covers your "pain, suffering, and loss of amenity." In addition, you can claim for any financial losses, such as time off work or medical expenses.
Don't Live with Unsafe Conditions
You and your family have the right to be safe in your own home. If your landlord is ignoring hazards, contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
Start Your Free Assessment Today