Housing Disrepair
If you are living in a property in a poor state of repair and the landlord does nothing to rectify this problem then you may be able to bring a disrepair claim.
Such actions will force landlords to carry out the repairs as well as compensate you for any loss you may have suffered.
Local authorities can often take action if there are any risks to the health and safety of occupiers or a visitor to the property. They assess these risks using the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
Your housing disrepair questions answered
Does it matter who my landlord is?
No. Whether you are renting from the council, a housing association or a private landlord, the law imposes strict requirements on all landlords to make sure that the property is kept in repair.
What responsibility does my landlord have?
Landlords have a variety of statutory obligations to keep their properties in a good state of repair..
Such obligations include to:
- Ensure any heating system provided is in a good working order
- Keep the structure of the building, including drains, gutters, roofs, foundations and external pipes in good repair
- Keep in proper working order the water, gas, electricity and sanitation including basins, sinks, baths and toilets
- Make sure that serious disrepair or dampness does make the building unfit for human habitation
- Vermin infestation which prejudicial to health
There may also be contractual obligations which the landlord needs to comply with.
What should I do if I suffer from disrepair?
You will have to give notice of any disrepair. The landlord will not be responsible until he knows about the problem. There is no breach of the landlord’s obligations if he carried out the necessary repairs within a reasonable time after he has notice of the disrepair.
How much will I have to pay my solicitor?
Depending on your eligibility Osbornes run housing disrepair claims on a no win no fee basis. This means that if you do not win your case you may not have to pay us anything. If you are successful in your housing disrepair claim then you do not owe us any payment. Our costs will be paid by the other side
Whilst legal aid it largely unavailable for disrepair matters it may still be available in certain circumstances.
Want to have a confidential, no obligation chat with Osbornes Solicitors?
To find out more about how to make a no win no fee claim for housing disrepair contact our Housing team at Osbornes who will be able to advise you on how best to bring this claim for the disrepair of your home.
Osbornes Housing team is ranked and recommended by the independent legal directory Legal 500 as one of the most experienced and knowledgeable housing and disrepair teams in London.
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