Who Helps When Landlords Don’t? UK Tenants’ Guide to Housing Disrepair Claims

If your rented home is cold, damp, leaking, or unsafe—and your landlord keeps delaying or ignoring your complaints—you're not alone. Thousands of tenants across the UK are living in properties that fall well below legal living standards.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to live like this—and you may be entitled to legal support and financial compensation.

This guide walks you through:

• What qualifies as housing disrepair

• The dangers of unresolved issues

• Your legal rights

• And how the team at Housing Disrepair Team UK can help you claim justice.

Understanding Housing Disrepair

Housing disrepair refers to any serious defect or damage in your rented home that the landlord is legally responsible for fixing but fails to do so. These aren’t cosmetic problems—they’re health and safety hazards.

Common signs of disrepair:

• Black mould or damp patches

• Peeling paint due to leaks or condensation

• Cracks in walls, ceilings, or flooring

• Broken boilers or radiators

• Unsafe electrical fittings or plumbing issues

• Blocked drainage or faulty toilets

• Pest infestations due to structural gaps

Many of these issues start small but grow worse over time—especially when ignored by landlords.

Why Tenants Shouldn’t Ignore Disrepair

Whether it’s mould in your child’s bedroom or no heating in the middle of winter, unresolved disrepair can take a serious toll on your daily life.

Risks of living with disrepair include:

• Worsening respiratory health from damp or mould

• Higher energy bills due to broken insulation or heating

• Damaged belongings, like furniture or electronics

• Stress and anxiety from living in uncomfortable or unsafe conditions

• Disruption to sleep, work, or your children’s wellbeing

The longer you wait, the worse it gets—for your home and your health.

What Are Your Rights as a UK Tenant?

By law, UK landlords must ensure that their properties are safe, secure, and fit for human habitation.

This includes keeping the:

• Structure and exterior of the home in good repair

• Water, gas, and electrical systems working properly

• Heating and hot water functioning

• Interior free from damp, mould, and infestations

• Sanitation systems, like toilets and drains, operational

Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, you can take legal action if your landlord fails to carry out necessary repairs within a reasonable time, typically 14–28 days after being informed.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

Many tenants aren’t aware that if they’ve lived with ongoing disrepair, they may be eligible for financial compensation, even if the repairs are eventually completed.

You could claim for:

• Physical and emotional health issues caused by the disrepair

• Damage to personal property or clothing

• Loss of enjoyment or inconvenience

• Increased heating bills or other costs

• Use of only part of the home (e.g., unusable rooms)

And the best part? You don’t have to fight the case alone.

Who Can Help? Introducing Housing Disrepair Team UK

That’s where Housing Disrepair Team UK comes in. We’re a specialist legal service helping tenants across England and Wales hold their landlords accountable.

We focus solely on housing disrepair claims—and we’ve recovered compensation for thousands of tenants just like you.

What makes us different?

• No Win, No Fee – you don’t pay unless we win your case

• Rapid case assessments – we’ll tell you quickly if your claim qualifies

• Nationwide coverage – we help tenants all over England & Wales

• Experienced legal professionals – experts in housing law

• Compassionate support – we handle your claim from start to finish

Learn more about our values, mission, and how we work on our About Us page.

How Does the Claim Process Work?

Getting started is simple and stress-free:

1. Speak to Our Team
   Reach out through our website and tell us about your situation.

2. We Review Your Case
   If you qualify, we guide you through gathering evidence: photos, landlord communications, medical notes (if applicable), etc.

3. Legal Action Begins
   We contact your landlord, demand repairs, and begin formal legal proceedings if needed.

4. You Receive Results
   If successful, you get your home repaired—and receive compensation for any damage, suffering, or financial loss.

And the best part? You stay protected. Your landlord cannot legally evict you just for making a housing disrepair claim.

Final Thoughts: Safe Housing Is a Right, Not a Privilege

You pay rent. You fulfill your part of the tenancy agreement. It’s time your landlord did the same.

If you’ve been living with damp, mould, heating issues, or unsafe conditions, don’t let another month go by. Get the support you deserve.

Visit Housing Disrepair Team UK to begin your claim, or learn more about our approach and experience on our About Us page.

We’ll help you take the first step toward a safer, healthier home—because everyone deserves to live with dignity and comfort.