Getting your landlord to address your complaints can be one of the most challenging tasks, especially if they keep ignoring your repair requests. A lady in southwest London had to endure 10 years of being ignored by her landlord about the sad state of her flat. Another lady in Greater London could not get her landlord to fix the leaks in her flat for 11 years.
The situations that both these ladies were in are only two of the many cases that can be covered by a housing disrepair claim. If your plumbing suddenly breaks down or your window is stuck, you can demand that your landlord provide you with compensation and have the repairs done right away through a solicitor. This is indicated in Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1990 and Section II of the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985.
What are disrepairs?
Disrepair occurs when the flat or house that you are renting is in need of repairs. These repairs are crucial for you to have a flat or house that is in a good, comfortable and livable state.
Under Housing Disrepair Law, you can make a claim against your landlord and ensure a contractor addresses disrepairs, while your landlord bears the expenses for all the work. Such disrepairs include the following:
Infestations
Pests can cause stress and disease to you and your family. The property should have pest control measures in place so scavengers can’t nest within the walls or under the floorboards of your home.
Central heating malfunction
Cold climate can, needless to say, be addressed by wearing layers of clothing. While indoors, however, a heating system takes care of this problem. Your flat should come fully equipped with a heating system for your (and your fellow tenants’) health and safety. If this breaks down, it could make you and your family ill. Your landlord should promptly repair the heater when it breaks down. If this is left unattended despite your landlord’s knowledge of the situation, you can file disrepair compensation claims. (delete previous sentence) If this is left unattended by a landlord who is aware of the problems, you can file a disrepair compensation claim.
Mould and dampness
Your landlord should be aware that any home in the country can be prone to damp and mould. If not controlled, damp and mould can cause chest tightness, wheezing, throat irritation, and nasal congestion. These are only a few of the many ill effects mould and dampness can have on your health.
Aside from making sure the heating system in your flat is working well, there must be proper ventilation from windows and doors that can be opened (in areas where water is often used). When moisture is trapped inside the house, mould, mildew, and constant dampness thrive.
Structural damage
All the disrepairs are correlated. Various types of structural damage like cracks in walls, broken windows and doors, cause moisture to enter at the same time poses a security risk to you and your belongings. This also applies to broken fences and gates.
For example, if you live in a building with several other tenants and the main entrance door does not bolt, the whole building is at risk of being targeted by thieves. This could cause you sleepless nights.
Leaks
You have heard of a leaking roof. Gas leaks are a different story. This type of leak does not only damage your health but may also cause fire or even an explosion in your home. Just the slight smell of gas around the flat should be warning enough that there is something wrong and needs to be addressed. Disrepair in your home such as this can cause anxiety and stress on the part of the tenant.
Make your claim
Living in a rented home does have its perks, especially when your landlord is cooperative and considerate of your problems. It is always best to do a walkthrough with your landlord and list down all that need to be addressed before the state of the abode worsens.
If you have sought your landlord’s attention about the disrepairs and have already given 21 days for them to take action, you can bring forward a complaint to housing disrepair solicitors that handle disrepair claims. Aside from getting compensated for all the trouble caused by a landlord ignoring repair requests, your house will get the repairs that it deserves with all the legal costs covered by your landlord.
Provide your solicitor with physical evidence of the state of disrepair. Communicate through text and email messages so you will have a thread showing the date and details of your exchange. Your solicitors will inspect your home and speak with other tenants to see if they have the same issues as yours.
It is your landlord’s duty to ensure your home is in good living condition all throughout your tenure. A Housing Disrepair Protocol was rolled out by the UK government in December 2003 setting down rules on making Disrepair Claims in Court. Although your solicitors should be well-versed on the matter, it is important that you are also aware of all the measures you need to take to see the case through, including the step-by-step processes, from issuance of the initial letter of claim to the end of the court sessions.
If you need to claim your housing disrepair compensation, www.disrepairclaim.co.uk can make the process easier and more efficient for you. Get in touch with them now; they’re ready to help you exercise your tenant rights.
