A Guide to Filing Housing Kings Lynn Disrepair Claims
Has your home been affected by issues such as dampness, leaks, or the presence of mould? If yes, it is best to seek professional support immediately to guide you into filing a housing disrepair claim.
Does the Law Allow Me to 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.
The role of the landlord has been encapsulated in the distinct legal provisions, primarily like 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.
- Provide adequate heating and hot water by maintaining these systems in good working order.
When a landlord fails to properly maintain a property’s structure and exterior, it is considered to be in “disrepair”. Problems with the functioning of essential utilities within the property, like water, gas, and electricity, also fall under the category of disrepair.
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. Keep in mind that you can no longer file a claim if you’re planning to move out or if the landlord has already rectified the problem.
If, as a renter, you qualify for monetary compensation, it must be because the housing repair issues you are facing have been left unattended to for a long time, thus inflicting suffering or inconveniencing you and your loved ones.
Should you experience these circumstances, you may qualify for compensation. 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.
About Housing Disrepair Claims
It is the duty of the landlord, regardless if they are private, local/council authorities, or housing associations, to maintain their buildings in a secure, safe, and working condition. If the landlord fails to rectify the issues in the building, it could force the tenant to withstand a hazardous living environment, thus justifying the need to file a 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.
Should you find yourself living in a property with disrepair issues that your landlord has been made aware of, you might be eligible to pursue legal action through a housing disrepair claim. Taking legal action could lead to compensation for the inconvenience caused and force the landlord to rectify the problems with the property.