Housing Disrepair Claims

What is a Housing Disrepair Claim?

If you rent your home from the council or a housing association, your landlord is legally responsible for keeping your property in a safe, livable condition.
When repairs are ignored or delayed, and your health or home has been affected as a result, you may be entitled to make a housing disrepair claim.

That could include problems like mould, leaks, damp, broken heating, or structural damage that’s been reported but left unresolved. Your landlord has a legal duty to fix these issues within a reasonable time. If they haven’t, you can take action to get the repairs done and possibly receive compensation.

Who is Eligible to Claim?

You rent your property from the council or a housing association
You’ve reported the issue to your landlord and they haven’t repaired it within a reasonable time
The disrepair has affected your health, safety, or caused damage to your belongings
You still live in the property that’s affected

If that sounds like your situation, we can help you understand your rights and what you could claim for.

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Common Housing Disrepair Issues

Many council and housing association tenants live with problems that should have been fixed long ago. These aren’t just annoyances and can cause real damage to your health, your home and your day-to-day life.

Here are some of the most common issues that could form part of a housing disrepair claim:

Damp & Mould

Persistent damp and mould can lead to breathing problems, skin irritation, and damage to walls and furniture. If you’ve reported it but your landlord hasn’t acted, you could be entitled to repairs and compensation.

Leaks & Water Damage

Leaking roofs, pipes or gutters can cause damp patches, structural damage and rot. Your landlord must fix these quickly to prevent further harm.

Broken Heating or Hot Water

You have the right to a safe, warm home. If your heating or boiler has been broken and left unrepaired, that’s a breach of your landlord’s duty.

Faulty Electrics

Unsafe wiring, exposed cables or lights that constantly blow can put you and your family at risk. Electrical issues should be repaired immediately.

Pest Infestations

Rats, mice, or other infestations often come from property damage or poor maintenance. Your landlord must take steps to remove pests and fix the source.

Structural Issues

Cracked walls, uneven floors, or damaged ceilings can indicate deeper structural problems. If ignored, they can make your home unsafe.

Broken Windows & Doors

Broken or faulty windows and doors can lead to draughts, leaks, and security issues. You’re entitled to repairs that make your home safe and secure.

Plumbing Problems

Leaks, blocked drains or broken toilets are more than just inconvenient - they can make parts of your home unusable and cause health risks.

A real before and after (click here)

This is a real before and after of our client’s bathroom. They were living with serious disrepair for years. We helped them get compensation and a brand new bathroom fitted!

When can I make a Housing Disrepair claim?

If you’ve reported problems to your council or housing association and they haven’t been fixed properly or in a reasonable time, you may be eligible to claim.

You might have a valid claim if:

You’ve reported problems, but they haven’t been fixed

If you’ve told your housing officer or landlord about issues like leaks, mould, or broken heating, and they’ve ignored your requests or delayed repairs, that’s classed as disrepair.
Landlords are legally required to carry out repairs within a reasonable time once notified. If they haven’t, you may be entitled to take action.

Repairs were carried out, but the issue came back

A temporary fix or poor-quality repair doesn’t solve the problem — it just delays it. If you’ve had the same problem return after a repair, it may mean your landlord hasn’t addressed the root cause, and the issue still counts as disrepair.

Your health has been affected by the condition of your home

Long-term damp, mould, or leaks can cause serious health issues, especially for children, the elderly, or anyone with asthma or allergies.
If your living conditions have caused breathing problems, skin irritation, or stress, that’s not acceptable — and you may be entitled to compensation for the impact on your wellbeing.

Your belongings have been damaged

When leaks, damp or structural problems damage your personal property — like furniture, clothing or electronics — you could claim for the cost of replacing those items.
Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the property, so you shouldn’t be left out of pocket due to their failure to act.

You’ve had to live with unsafe or unsanitary conditions

If your home has become unsafe, unsanitary, or uninhabitable because of long-term issues like broken plumbing, exposed wiring or infestations, your landlord has failed their legal duty.
You don’t have to live in unsafe conditions, you have the right to repairs and, in some cases, compensation for the disruption caused.

You’ve lost the use of part of your home

If you’ve been unable to use a room due to damp, mould, leaks, or damage, that counts as a loss of amenity.
For example, if you can’t sleep in a bedroom or use your bathroom properly, you may be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience and reduced living standards.

Need Expert Help & Advice?

If you have reported housing disrepair issues to your landlord more than 6 months ago and the issues have not been resolved, you may be able to make a claim and get the repairs done.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Courmacs Legal to make my claim?

No. You don’t have to use a law firm or claims company. You can complain directly to your lender for free, and the FCA’s compensation scheme is free to use.

If your lender thinks you’re owed money, they should contact you by the end of 2026 for agreements taken out from April 2014, or by the end of February 2027 for older agreements. If they don’t contact you, you can still complain yourself until 31 August 2027. If you’re unhappy with your lender’s response, you can take your case to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free.

We’re here if you’d rather have experts handle the process for you, but the choice is always yours.

How will I be updated on the progress of my claim?

We understand that you want to stay informed. Our team will provide regular updates via your preferred communication method, whether that’s phone calls, emails, or text messages. You can also reach out to us anytime for updates on your claim.

How long does a Housing Disrepair claim take?

The length of time a Housing Disrepair claim will take generally depends on the findings of any experts instructed, Landlords response and their willingness to engage with us in a timely manner but there is no fixed time if which a case for housing disrepair will be completed.

Our Housing Disrepair Litigation team will keep you updated at each stage and on each response, providing an explanation and advice along the way. We must look to engage in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a way to find agreement with your Landlord.

If we do not feel that the ADR is proving worthwhile, or that your landlord is not engaging appropriately, we will then discuss the option of issuing the claim at Court.

Cases usually take around 6 – 12 months. If the case is issued at Court, however, then the claim potentially could take around 12 months to conclude.

How long will my claim take?

Each claim is different and depends on how much information we have, or how responsive the defendant is. We’ll always keep you updated at key stages.

What happens after I sign up?

Once you’ve signed up, we’ll confirm your details and begin preparing your claim. You’ll receive a confirmation email and regular updates as we progress.