Could I be evicted if I make a housing disrepair claim?

No. If your home is in poor condition, your landlord has breached their contract by allowing this to happen, not you, so you are still secure in your home. One of the first things we would do when looking at your claim would be to check that all your contracts are in place and executed properly to protect you throughout the process. There is also a legislation that was passed in 2015 which protects you from any retaliatory action. Our advisors can tell you more about this.

Am I elgibile for a housing disrepair claim?

If the five statements below are correct, we may be able to help to improve your living conditions:

o You currently live in a local authority or housing association property
o The problems have been ongoing for 6 months or more
o You have reported 3 or more times with no active repairs
o You are not in excessive amount of rental arrears
o You are still residing at the current property

What should I do if I think I have a claim?

If you think you could have a claim and you have already informed your council or housing association landlord, enquire through our website and one of our advisors will take it from there.
It is also a good idea to collect evidence such as pictures or repair quotes you might have received from third party experts, such as an electrician or structural specialist. However, our team will work with you to ensure the pictures are of the quality you need to help get your claim over the line.

Do I need to pay anything upfront?

No. Every case we take on is on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. This means that if we lose, there is nothing to pay whatsoever. In the event that we win your case, our fees are recovered from the compensation you are awarded.

Will I need to go to court?

Most of our cases never have to go to court. You or your family members may be asked to participate as witnesses but only in the most complicated or extreme cases. Our customer team will let you know as soon as possible if they think this is possible, but don’t worry – even if it happens, we will be next to you every step of the way.

How much could I be owed in compensation?

The calculation of housing disrepair compensation can vary depending on several factors, making it hard to say for certain how much you could be awarded. These include:

o Severity of disrepair: The extent and seriousness of the disrepair issues will play a significant role in determining the compensation amount.

o Impact on the tenant: Compensation may consider how the disrepair affected the tenant’s health, well-being, and quality of life.

o Loss of amenities: If certain amenities were promised in the lease agreement but were unavailable due to disrepair, they may be factored into the compensation.

o Financial losses: Compensation may cover any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the tenant due to the disrepair (e.g., temporary accommodations if you have not been able to live in the house, increased utility bills).

Can I claim for a property I previously lived in?

Unfortunately not, you can only claim for your current property and for the disrepair that you are actively reporting.