Housing disrepair claims · England
Your home should be safe to live in.
If you have reported damp, mould, leaks, broken heating or other hazards and your landlord has not put them right in a reasonable time, you may be able to seek repairs and compensation.
Common problems
Issues that often lead to a disrepair claim
Landlords are usually responsible for the structure, exterior and key installations. These are among the most frequently reported defects.
Damp and mould
Persistent condensation, black mould, peeling plaster or a musty smell after you have asked for help.
Leaks and water damage
Roof leaks, failed gutters, burst pipes, water coming through walls or ceilings.
Heating and hot water
Broken boilers, cold radiators, no hot water, or a home that cannot be kept reasonably warm.
Electrical hazards
Unsafe wiring, repeated power failure, exposed fittings or sockets that spark.
Structure and safety
Cracks, rotting windows or doors, unsafe stairs, collapsed ceilings or falling elements.
Pests and sanitation
Infestations, blocked drains, failed toilets or problems with water supply.
The legal position
Landlords must keep rented homes fit to live in.
This is a summary of the main England rules. Your exact rights depend on your tenancy, landlord and the facts of your case.
Repairing obligations
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 generally requires landlords to keep the structure and exterior in repair, plus installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and hot water.
Fitness for habitation
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires most rented homes in England to be fit at the start of the tenancy and throughout. Serious damp, cold, unsafe layout or other hazards can make a home unfit.
Social housing timescales
Awaab’s Law requires social landlords in England to deal with emergency hazards quickly, and to investigate and make safe significant damp and mould on set timescales. Further hazards are being brought into the same framework in phases.
Notice still matters
In most cases the landlord must have been told about the defect and given a reasonable time to put it right before a claim for damages is likely to succeed.
How claims usually work
A clear process. No pressure.
1. Tell us what happened
Share the defects, when you reported them, and how they have affected your home, health or belongings.
2. We review eligibility
A specialist checks whether the landlord was on notice, whether a reasonable time has passed, and what evidence you already have.
3. Evidence and next steps
Photos, letters, emails, repair logs and medical notes all help. If the case can proceed, the usual next step is a formal letter of claim.
Ready when you are
Get a free, no-obligation assessment.
Most tenants start with a short call or form. Keep copies of every report you have already made.
Questions
Before you enquire
Who can make a housing disrepair claim?
Council, housing association and private tenants in England may all have rights if the landlord has failed to carry out repairs they are legally responsible for. Licence-holders and some temporary occupiers can be in a different position, so the tenancy type matters.
Do I have to report the problem first?
Yes, in almost every case. Tell your landlord in writing if you can, keep the date, and allow a reasonable time for the work. Written reports are much stronger evidence than a phone call alone.
What can compensation cover?
Typically: inconvenience and reduced use of the home; damaged furniture, clothes or carpets; extra expenses; and, where relevant, illness made worse by the conditions. Courts often look at a percentage of rent for the affected period, then add proven financial losses.
Is there a time limit?
Breach of contract claims are generally six years. Personal injury linked to the conditions is usually three years. Do not wait if the problem is still ongoing.
Will complaining put my tenancy at risk?
From 1 May 2026, Section 21 no-fault evictions were abolished for most private tenancies in England. Social tenants already had stronger security. That said, every case is different. Independent housing advice is available from Shelter and Citizens Advice.
Contact
Tell us about the property.
Send a short outline of the defects and we will come back to you. If it is an emergency hazard — for example a major leak, no electricity, or a home that cannot be made safe — contact your landlord and, if needed, the local authority straight away.
Phone
0800 000 0000
Email
hello@example.com