How to Make a Housing Disrepair Claim Against Your Landlord

  Living in a poorly maintained rental property can be frustrating and harmful to your health and wellbeing. If your landlord is ignoring repair requests, you may be entitled to take legal action. A housing disrepair claim is a way for tenants to get necessary repairs completed and potentially receive compensation for the inconvenience, stress, or damage caused. In the UK, both private landlords and social housing providers (such as councils or housing associations) are legally required to keep their properties safe and habitable.

At Housing Disrepair Team, we specialise in helping tenants take action when landlords fail to uphold their responsibilities. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a housing disrepair claim, what qualifies as disrepair, and how we can help you receive the outcome you deserve.

What Is a Housing Disrepair Claim?

A housing disrepair claim is a legal case made by a tenant when a landlord does not fix serious issues in the property. These problems may include damp and mould, leaking roofs or pipes, faulty electrical systems, heating issues, broken windows, pest infestations, and other hazards that affect health or safety. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, landlords are required to fix these issues within a reasonable timeframe. If they don’t, tenants have the legal right to take action — and this is where the Housing Disrepair Team can help.

Step 1: Report the Problem to Your Landlord

Before making a claim, tenants must first inform the landlord of the problem. This step is essential. You should notify your landlord in writing (by email or letter), describe the problem clearly, and include photographs or videos where possible. Keep a copy of all your communication, as it may be used later as evidence. If the landlord doesn’t respond, delays the repairs, or fails to take action, you can proceed with a housing disrepair claim. Housing Disrepair Team offers a free claim assessment to help you determine if your case is eligible.

Step 2: Collect Evidence

The next step is to gather all the evidence related to the disrepair. This includes dated photographs and videos of the damage, medical reports if your health has been affected, any correspondence with your landlord, receipts for damaged items, and witness statements if others have seen the problem. This evidence will be used to strengthen your claim and prove the severity of the issue. When you work with Housing Disrepair Team, our legal experts will help organise this information and prepare it for submission.

Step 3: Seek Legal Advice

Making a housing disrepair claim can be complex, especially if the landlord refuses to cooperate. That’s why most tenants turn to specialists like Housing Disrepair Team. We provide expert legal advice and handle all the paperwork and communications on your behalf. Our solicitors will also ensure the landlord is given a formal letter of claim, stating the nature of the disrepair and the compensation you are seeking.

Step 4: Professional Inspection (If Needed)

In some cases, it’s helpful to have an independent inspection of your property by a professional surveyor. This provides solid proof of the extent of the disrepair and confirms that the landlord is responsible. Housing Disrepair Team can arrange this for you as part of your claim process, and you won’t need to pay anything upfront. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so there’s no financial risk to you.

Step 5: Start the Claim Process

Once the evidence is ready and your landlord has been formally notified, we begin the legal claim. Most cases can be settled out of court, where the landlord agrees to carry out the repairs and offer a compensation amount. However, if your landlord refuses to cooperate, we are prepared to take the matter to court on your behalf. With Housing Disrepair Team managing your case, you can rest assured that your rights are being protected.

What Can You Claim For?

Compensation in housing disrepair cases can cover a variety of losses. These include physical and emotional suffering (such as breathing problems caused by mould), damage to your personal belongings, increased heating costs due to broken heating systems, or even partial refunds of rent paid while the property was in disrepair. The amount varies depending on the severity and duration of the issue, but typical claims range from £1,000 to over £10,000. At Housing Disrepair Team, we always aim to recover the highest amount possible for our clients.

Can I Claim If Repairs Have Already Been Done?

Yes, even if your landlord eventually carried out the repairs, you may still be able to claim compensation for the time you lived in poor conditions. Many tenants don’t realise they are still entitled to damages for suffering, inconvenience, and financial loss. If you’ve been affected, contact Housing Disrepair Team for a free, no-obligation review.

What If My Landlord Is a Housing Association or Council?

You can still make a claim. Whether you rent from a housing association, a local authority, or a private landlord, the legal responsibilities are the same. Landlords must provide a safe and livable environment — and failure to do so is a breach of contract. Housing Disrepair Team specialises in council and housing association disrepair claims, and we can guide you through every stage of the process.

Why Choose Housing Disrepair Team?

At Housing Disrepair Team, we’ve helped hundreds of tenants across the UK make successful claims against negligent landlords. Our team is made up of expert housing solicitors who handle every part of the claim process — from initial assessment to negotiating compensation. We work on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to you, and you only pay if your claim is successful. We’re fast, professional, and dedicated to getting the justice you deserve.

Take Action Today

If you’ve been living in poor housing conditions and your landlord has failed to act, don’t wait any longer. Making a housing disrepair claim is your legal right, and the law is on your side. Get in touch with Housing Disrepair Team for a free assessment today. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you get the repairs and compensation you’re entitled to.