HMO, or House in Multiple Occupation, is widely used in the rental property market. But what is a HMO, Disrepair claims are an essential legal avenue for tenants living in rented properties that fall below acceptable standards. Whether you’re a housing association tenant, a social housing tenant, or renting privately, you have the right to expect your landlord to maintain a safe and habitable home. When landlords fail to meet these obligations, tenants may file a housing disrepair claim to seek compensation for damages and unresolved repairs.
PR Scully has several housing disrepair solicitors ready to help you with your housing disrepair issues and get you compensation if you’ve suffered financial loss or a personal injury.
Click here to get in touch, ring 0161 768 3174, or e-mail info@prscully.com today.
What Are Disrepair Claims?
A housing disrepair claim is a legal process that allows tenants to hold their landlords accountable for failing to address repair faults in their property. These faults can range from broken heating systems to broken doors, electrical issues, or even dampness and mould that pose a serious health risk.
If the landlord refuses to repair the issues within a reasonable period, tenants can legally force action through the courts.
Call 0161 768 317 or request a callback through our website.
Who Can Make a Disrepair Claim?
Disrepair claims can be made by tenants of:
- Council housing associations.
- Private landlords.
- Housing associations.
As long as there is a tenancy agreement in place for the rented property, and the landlord refuses to deal with the issues, then a housing disrepair case can be filed. It is irrelevant whether the landlord is a single person or the tenancy agreement is for a housing association property.
Grounds for Filing a Housing Disrepair Claim
A claim may be valid if:
- The property has unresolved disrepair issues affecting its safety or habitability.
- The tenant has suffered physical harm (e.g., due to personal injury) or financial loss (e.g., higher rent costs or damaged belongings).
- The landlord has failed to address the issues despite being notified.
Common disrepair issues include:
- Broken heating systems.
- Persistent dampness or mould.
- Unsafe electrical issues.
- Structural problems such as broken doors or windows.
For inquiries about your housing disrepair claims, contact PR Scully online or phone us on 0161 768 3238 to consult with our legal team.
Click here to contact PR Scully today and see if a compensation claim needs to be filed.
How to File a Housing Disrepair Claim
The process of filing a claim for housing disrepair involves several steps:
- Notify the Landlord: Provide written notice of the disrepair issues, giving them a reasonable period to respond.
- Free Property Inspection: Arrange an inspection to gather expert evidence about the condition of the property.
- Medical Reports: If you’ve experienced personal injury, include medical documentation to strengthen your case.
- Engage a Housing Disrepair Lawyer: Seek assistance from housing disrepair lawyers to navigate housing law and initiate court proceedings if necessary.
- Court Proceedings: If no resolution is reached, the case may proceed to the county court or small claims court, depending on the value of the compensation claim process.
At PR Scully, we think that getting in touch with us as early as possible will be better for you as we can provide you with free advice and alternative dispute resolution options. Although we aren’t able to file disrepair cases until there’s a clear violation by the council housing association or private landlords, we can advise you on what to do.
Compensation for Housing Disrepair
How much compensation you receive will depend on several factors, including:
- The severity of the disrepair.
- The length of time the issues have persisted.
- Financial losses incurred, such as damage to belongings or rent arrears.
- If a personal injury claim is filed, too.
Compensation paid may also cover non-economic damages, such as inconvenience and reduced quality of life. You can request a visit from an environmental health officer from the local authority council.
Disrepair issues legally force landlords to repair faults, and when a landlord fails to fulfil their role, you, in line with the tenancy agreement, deserve compensation no matter if you are a private tenant or in social housing.
Request a call back to find out more about our no-win no-fee policy, and to talk to our team about any compensation claims you want to file.
Legal Assistance and Funding Options
Tenants have several funding options when pursuing a housing disrepair claim, as we know legal costs can be a concern for many victims of housing disrepair claims. Here are some options for you:
- Legal Aid Funding: Available for low-income tenants through a legal aid compensation claim.
- Conditional Fee Agreements: Many solicitors work on a no-win no-fee basis, meaning tenants only pay if they win the case.
- Claims Management Companies: Some tenants use claims management companies to handle the entire process, often working on a fee basis.
At PR Scully, our lawyers are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to avoid potential legal issues for us and our clients. Our team is well-established to seek compensation on your behalf and keep you informed during the entire process.
Alternatives to Court Proceedings
Before initiating court action, tenants may explore alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or filing a complaint with the housing ombudsman. If a landlord refuses to comply with the Landlord and Tenant Act, you can inform the local authority, and claim compensation without having to worry about any legal costs.
Common Challenges and Risks
Whenever you try to claim compensation for something, there will be challenges in the way. With housing disrepair claims, it is no different. Some of the challenges and risks might be:
- Landlords may deny responsibility for disrepair, claiming the property was in human habitation standards.
- Legal fees can escalate if not managed carefully, but at PR Scully we offer transparent costs under a fee disrepair claim arrangement.
- Some landlords attempt to retaliate by citing rent arrears, so tenants should ensure their financial position is stable.
The Importance of Housing Conditions Claims
Disrepair claims not only hold landlords accountable but also ensure that rental properties meet basic safety standards. Whether you’re a private tenant or a council tenant, you have the right to live in a safe and well-maintained home.
If you believe your landlord has failed to address serious disrepair issues, don’t hesitate to claim compensation and improve your living conditions today.
Click here or phone 0161 768 3238 to consult with our legal team at PR Scully.
P R Scully & Co Solicitors Limited
166 Chaddock Lane,
Worsley,
Manchester,
M28 1DF
0161 768 3175
info@prscully.com