Housing Disrepair Claims Grantham: What to Do When Your Home Is in Disrepair
Are you dealing with the unpleasant effects of dampness, leakage, or mould in your home? In such circumstances, it’s crucial to consult with legal experts who can guide you through the process of making a housing disrepair claim.
Can I File a Housing Disrepair Claim?
The law guarantees tenants the right to a safe and habitable home, free from any disrepair that could cause harm to them or their loved ones.
Landlords have specific legal obligations to their tenants, primarily defined by the Landlord and Tenant Act (LTA) 1985. Section 11 of this act spells out the responsibilities of the landlord to include the following:
- Keep the property’s structure and exterior in good repair, including components such as external pipes, drains, and gutters.
- Maintain all installations related to water, gas, electricity, and sanitation in a safe and operational state.
- Guarantee the reliable operation of space heating and hot water systems.
When a landlord fails to properly maintain a property’s structure and exterior, it is considered to be in “disrepair”. Furthermore, disrepair encompasses issues affecting the supply of essential utilities, including water, gas, and electricity.
The main goal of filing a claim against a landlord is to make sure that proper repair works are carried out and completed quickly to ensure the house occupier enjoys living in a functioning and safe environment. Note that if you intend to vacate the premises, or if the landlord has already addressed the disrepair, you won’t be able to pursue a housing disrepair claim.
You might be entitled to financial compensation if the problems you’ve experienced in your home have been ongoing and have caused significant hardship for you or your household.
Should you experience these circumstances, you may qualify for compensation. Act promptly, though, because once the landlord resolves the issue or you vacate the property, you lose the right to claim compensation.
Understanding Housing Disrepair Claims
It is the responsibility of every landlord, regardless of whether they are a private owner, a council, or a housing association, to ensure their properties are safe, secure, and in good repair. Tenants who are subjected to unsafe or unhealthy living conditions due to their landlord’s negligence may be eligible to file a housing disrepair claim.
Introduced in 2019, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act reinforces the rights of tenants to live in safe and suitable housing, enabling them to pursue legal action against negligent landlords. Under this Act, landlords are legally obligated to provide a safe and healthy living environment for their tenants.
Tenants facing unresolved disrepair issues despite informing their landlord may have grounds to pursue a legal claim. Taking legal action could lead to compensation for the inconvenience caused and force the landlord to rectify the problems with the property.