A Guide to Filing South Norwood Housing Disrepair Claims
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.
Do I Qualify for a Housing Disrepair Claim?
Tenants have a legal right to live in a safe and well-maintained property, free from any hazards that could pose a risk to themselves or their families.
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:
- Ensure the building structure and its exterior installations, including drains, external pipes, and gutters, are in good condition.
- Guarantee the proper functioning and maintenance of utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and sanitation within the property.
- Ensure the systems meant for hot water and space heating are in the right working condition and are repaired promptly whenever they are faulty.
To this regard, disrepair defines instances when the landlord has failed to maintain the property’s general structure and exterior in good and working condition. Problems with the functioning of essential utilities within the property, like water, gas, and electricity, also fall under the category of disrepair.
The main objective of a housing disrepair claim is to get the necessary repairs done quickly so you can live in a safe and comfortable 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.
If the above scenario is similar to your case, you may be qualifying to make the disrepair claim. But since time is of the essence, seek legal advice immediately as your opportunity to claim is lost once the disrepair is resolved or you vacate the premises.
What You Need to Know About 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. This legislation places a clear responsibility on landlords to ensure their rental properties meet adequate standards for human habitation.
If you are still living in a building in disrepair even after having informed the landlord of the issue, it may be the right time to commence legal action against the landlord by making a disrepair claim. The claim will help you get your due compensation or force the landlord to repair the building appropriately by addressing all issues hindering your safe enjoyment of the property.
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