Category: Housing Disrepair Claims

Covid-19 & Housing Disrepair Claims: Can I still make one?

Posted on March 16, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

Housing Disrepair Claims are there to help you if you are struggling to get your landlord to make the necessary repairs to ensure you can live in your council house safely and securely. It is your landlord’s responsibility to make sure that your home is habitable for you and your family. That means if your home’s furniture, exterior or interior is in need of repair, your landlord should be there to pay for the damages.

Unfortunately, with the current Covid-19 pandemic and UK lockdown, you may be feeling concerned that it may give your landlord an excuse to avoid paying for these repairs. Worse still, you may feel nervous about making a claim altogether as the current backlog of UK court cases could delay your pay-out. We understand your concerns about making any sort of housing disrepair claim. However, we would like to let you know that even with the current pandemic and lockdown still being in swing, you still can make a valid claim. It is your landlord’s responsibility to look after your property. If it is in a state of disrepair, they need to have it replaced or repaired to ensure you and your family can safely remain in the building.

If you need any advice about making a housing disrepair claim, feel free to get in contact with us by calling 0161 464 4444 or visit our website to learn more:

The Basics of Housing Disrepair Claims

Before we jump into Covid-19 & Housing Disrepair Claims, let’s discuss the basics of these claims. That way you can feel comfortable when you go to your lawyer for support throughout the claim’s process.

If your house falls into disrepair, it is necessary that your landlord provides financial support. That way the broken items can be replaced or quickly fixed. They need to make sure that your home is habitable and does not provide any danger to the residents living in it. Take a look at the GIF below. It details what your landlord is responsible for in your rented home:

Some additional responsibilities may include:

Fire safety
Gas, electricity and sanitation regulations
Roof and plasterwork
Centralized heating and boiler work
Security for the house

If any of these fall into disrepair then it is up to your landlord to have it fixed. However, if your landlord refuses then they could be guilty of negligence. They owe you a “duty of care” to ensure the property can be used to house you and your family. If you suffer because of this then you could be owed compensation. That’s why you may want to discuss this further with a solicitor. After all, you could be owed between £1,000 to £20,000 depending on the complexity of your claim.

What could make me eligible for a claim?

Now, the main thing you need to think about when it comes to Housing Disrepair Claims is in relation to your eligibility. Your landlord is responsible for keeping your house in a good state. That means if something breaks in your rented home or housing accommodation, it is up to your landlord to fix it. If they refuse and the house becomes dangerous or uninhabitable, this could mean that your quality of life could threatened. You deserve to live in a home where you are comfortable and safe. Instead, you may be living in discomfort or could even be putting your own health at risk.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about how you could be eligible for a claim:

It is UK law that your landlord keeps your rented home in a state of comfortable repair. You should not be paying for any of the repairs. If you are forced to pay for the damages then you can ask for compensation. Just keep in mind that the pay-out that you receive will not be the same as the price of a brand new object. Instead, you will be expected to have bought something second hand or at a cheaper price to replace it. That means you may receive less than you were expecting. Keep this in mind when you get started with your claim.

Can I make a Housing Disrepair Claim during the Covid-19 pandemic?

Yes you can! It’s important that you understand that even if you are staying at home and are not seeing people outside of your own social bubble, your landlord still owes you a duty of care. That means they have a responsibility to look after your property. They also need to make sure that it is safe to be lived in. The only difference is how repairs and maintenance will be conducted within your property.

The UK government have made it very clear that landlords should still keep their properties in good repair. In specific, they have said:

“We expect landlords to make every effort to meet their responsibilities”

Your landlord should conduct the repairs as safely as possible, especially if they need to bring contractors into your home to have the work completed. It is essential that you communicate with your landlord to ensure you both know when and how the repairs are going to take place. That way social-distancing and sanitization can be conducted effectively. You may also want to be a little more patient with their landlords as it may take them more time to get the repairs organized so it can be undertaken safely.

With that said, you, as a tenant, have the right to live somewhere safe and secure. So, if your landlord ultimately refuses to help you with your housing repairs, you have the right to make a complaint. Gowing Law’s Solicitors will be there to give you the best legal advice. That way you can get the pay-out you deserve.

Overall, we would highly recommend that you make your claim as quickly as possible, even during the pandemic. That way you can get the justice and compensation that you need to get your life back on track.

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help with Housing Disrepair Claims

If you are currently living a rented council house or housing accommodation, Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your claim. Our experts are here to give you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to work with our lawyers, we can offer you our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never need to pay any hidden fees. Therefore, you will always come out on top with your claim.

Get started with your Housing Disrepair Claim today by calling us on 0161 464 4444, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. One of our helpful experts will then be in contact to help you get started on your claim.

Could you be eligible for a housing disrepair claim?

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

By making a housing disrepair claim, you are holding your landlord responsible for any damages that have happened inside your property that they should be paying for. If you are renting your home, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to ensure that it is kept in a good condition. That means if something goes wrong in your home and makes the environment unsafe, they should act quickly to ensure that your safety is prioritized. If your landlord ignores your complaints or refuses to pay for your disrepairs, you could be owed compensation. Living in a house that is dangerous or not fit for people to live in can have a severe impact on your mental health, or even your physical health if you end up getting hurt. That’s why it’s important to understand whether or not you could be eligible for a claim.

Contact Gowing Law Solicitors today to get started on your housing disrepair claim! You can call us on 0161 464 4444 or use the button below to reach out to us:

What is a Housing Disrepair Claim?

If you are renting your house or any other form of accommodation, your landlord will need to make the occasional repair in order to keep it in a safe condition. That way it will be seen as completely suitable to be rented out to the public. It is normal for your rented home to require the occasional repair to make sure you feel comfortable in it. However, in some cases, you may find that your landlord simply refuses to help you. That means you may suffer from discomfort, inconvenience or even financial losses if you try to get it fixed yourself.

It is your landlord’s duty to look after:

Above you can see some of the main repairs that may be needed to maintain a safe house, however, there are some additional safety requirements your landlord may need to look into it if they have rented their property to you:

Fire safety regulations
Sanitation, gas, electricity and water installations
Mould problems
Security requirements

No matter how long you have lived in your property for your landlord owes you a duty of care. That means if your home starts suffering from disrepair, it is their duty to fix it. Unfortunately, in some cases, your landlord may act unreasonable and refuse to do this. This is why you may want to end up making a Housing Disrepair Claim to get compensation for your losses.

What could make me eligible for a housing disrepair claim?

Now that you understand what a housing disrepair claim is all about, it’s important that you learn how you could be eligible for a compensation pay-out. Your landlord has a duty of care towards you and any residents that live within their property. Therefore, if the house starts to become unsafe or unliveable, they should be willing to fund any repairs or changes needed to improve the state of the property.

Here are some of the main reasons why you could be eligible for this type of claim:

These are only a few examples of how you could be eligible for a housing disrepair claim! However, keep in mind that if you make a claim based on damage belongings, the compensation pay-out you receive will be equal to the cost of replacing or repairing the damaged objects. That means it is likely that you will receive less than you paid for your belongings when they were brand new.

The best way you can see if you are eligible for a claim is to speak to a housing disrepair claims solicitor. We understand that some situations are different to others. For instance, you may have a more complicated situation where your landlord fixed some problems in your home but refused to fix others. Our solicitors at Gowing Law will make sure to offer you personalized advice, so don’t feel worried about asking them questions. They will be there to support you and make sure you feel confident about making your claim.

Will I be evicted if I try to make a housing disrepair claim?

No! You will not be asked to leave your home. Your landlord has a “duty of care” towards you. As a member of the Council House tenant or Housing Association tenant, you have the right to have your landlord sort out repairs on your home/rented property. The only reason you would ever be evicted is if you are currently are in arrears. If you do not have a payment plan in place then there is a chance that your landlord could ask you to leave. That’s why it’s worth getting this sorted, even if you are only paying £1 into the plan!

Just keep in mind that if you do decide to leave the property, you will not be able to make a claim. This is because you will have to be living in the building as a tenant if you are looking for compensation.

What kind of Housing Disrepair Claim can Gowing Law Solicitors help me with?

Having a solicitor help you make a housing disrepair claim can increase the chance of you receiving a higher amount of compensation for any damages you or your property have suffered from the negligence of your landlord. Our solicitors can help you with claims from clients who have struggled with their housing association or council owned property. Unfortunately, we cannot help with private landlord claims. However, if you currently living in a council house, and are struggling to work with your landlord to deal with the disrepairs, our lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve in response to their negligence.

Our solicitors can also:

Provide you with expert advice
Speak to your landlord on your behalf
Help you figure out if you are eligible to make a claim
Assist you with avoiding simple mistakes that could invalidate your claim
Handle any paperwork

Gowing Law Solicitors is here to help you with your Housing Disrepair Claim

Gowing Law Solicitors have experienced lawyers ready to assist you with your housing disrepair claim. We understand that making any type of compensation claim can be daunting. That’s why our legal experts will be here to support you along the way. We can offer free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to work with us, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top and will never need to pay any hidden fees.

Contact us today by calling 0161 464 4444, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. One of our lawyers will then be in contact to answer your questions.

Learn more about making a Housing Disrepair Claim

Don’t forget that Gowing Law Solicitors updates its blog every week with brand new content. This content talks about the latest information about UK legal claims, seasonal events and our law firm’s updates. Sometimes we even host giveaways and competitions for our clients to enjoy. So make sure to keep an eye on our blog to see what we write about next. You can also take a look at our social media to see our latest videos and content. Click the links below to visit our Twitter and Facebook! We also have a brand new LinkedIn.

If you have any suggestions for our blog, feel free to get in contact by using the email info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We look forward to helping you soon.

See you in our next blog!

The Basics of Housing Disrepair Claims: What do you need to know?

Posted on March 11, 2021 by Hannah Fletcher - Blog, Housing Disrepair Claims, Uncategorised

Housing disrepair claims are there to help you if your landlord is refusing to pay for interior or exterior housing repairs. Now, whether you are a new renter or you have had several apartments throughout your life, if your home does start to show signs of disrepair, it is up to your landlord to make the appropriate repairs to ensure that it is inhabitable. Now, we understand that during the Covid-19 pandemic, renting a home or at least maintaining it without exposing yourself to people outside of your bubble. However, if your house’s state of disrepair has made it difficult to live in your house safely, your landlord is responsible for fixing it. If they refuse to fix it, they could be liable for the damages.

Before you start on your own housing disrepair claim, it’s important that you understand the basics. That way you can understand your eligibility and how you can get a decent pay-out. This is where Gowing Law Solicitors can come into play. If you need to speak to one of our of solicitors, contact us today by calling 0161 464 4444 or by visiting our claim’s page below:

What is Housing Disrepair all about?

Usually, if your house has fallen into a state of disrepair, it implies that it is not suitable or safe for your or any other people to live in. This is because the interior or exterior of the house and the furniture provided by the landlord has been damaged or is in need of a repair. If you are renting a property from a landlord, your landlord is responsible for any damages that occur whilst you live there. If your landlord refuses to help fix the damages, you could claim for compensation if your living conditions has severely affected your quality of life.

Here are some examples of what your landlord is responsible for in relation to your property:

It is the legal responsibility of your landlord to ensure that your house is kept suitable for people to live in. They are not allowed to pass on the cost to you, however keep in mind that they can only initiate the repairs if you have informed them that the property is damaged. If you notice a problem within your rented property, speak to your solicitor as soon as possible to get it sorted. Should they refuse to make the necessary repairs, they could be accused of negligence and therefore will need to pay you compensation.

What sort of damages could make me eligible for a claim?

As you can see, your landlord has a number of responsibilities when it comes to the maintenance of your home. You deserve to live and rent out a property that can make you feel safe and relaxed when you come home from your busy day. If your home is in a state of disrepair, this can make you feel uncomfortable and out of control, especially if you have no heating, running water or electricity. Worse still, you may even get injured whilst trying to live in your home. This is where you could be eligible when it comes to making housing disrepair claims. Here are the most common reasons why you may want to make a compensation claim:

Personal Injuries

If you have been hurt by the damages in your property, or have started to suffer from ill health due to the housing conditions, you could be eligible for a claim. Keep in mind that the amount you receive from this type of claim will depend on the extent of your injuries and how long your injuries have caused you pain and suffering. Make sure to keep evidence to prove that you have been affected badly by your accident. That way you can also recover additional damages like:

Emotional Damages
Financial Damages
Loss of Opportunity
Loss of Technology

Gowing Law’s expert solicitors know a lot about personal injury claims, so make sure to discuss this with them before you move forward with your claim:

Damage to belongings

One of the things that could happen to you is in relation to your own personal belongings. If your house is prone to mould, damp or infestation, it is likely that they things you have brought into the house could get damaged. For instance, mould could affect your clothes, bedding or carpets. If the house is prone to leaks, this could also discolour the walls and weaken the floor surfaces. To keep your house comfortable, you may be forced to pay for these things out of your own pocket.

Unfortunately, you may not be able to get compensation to cover the price of the damaged objects if they were new. That is because you will be expected to buy new items at the cheapest price. You will also need to find evidence. Your evidence will prove that you suffered from any financial losses due to the damages of your home, or even due to the illnesses that you have experienced due to the house’s condition.

Inconvenience

This type of claim can be a bit trickier, but it can make you eligible for a pay-out. If you have been inconvenienced by the disrepair to your property, it is likely that you could get a pay-out if your quality of life has been affected. An example of this could include you being unable to keep food in your fridge or freezer because it did not work properly. Another example could include being unable to sleep in your bedroom because of a mould problem. If you slept in the room this could affect your health. You may have tried to air out the mould or your house. However if nothing is working, you may be forced to sleep somewhere else. That means you could get a partial rebate, depending on how long you were forced to stay in this situation and how it affected your life.

How much compensation could I get from making claim?

The amount you get from any sort of our housing disrepair claim depends on your own personal circumstances. This includes how bad the disrepair was. It will also include how much time has passed since you first reported it to your landlord. You may also need to consider whether or not the disrepair has caused any personal injuries. An additional reason may be because it has forced you to move out to find other accommodation. This is because it was just not possible to live in your rented accommodation.

With that said, the best way to determine whether or not you could be eligible for a high compensation pay-out is to speak to our lawyers. Claim pay-outs can range from £1,000 to £20,000. So it is well worth finding out more information!

How can a Housing Disrepair Claims Solicitor help me with my claim?

For Gowing Law Solicitors, we endeavour to help as many clients as possible with their housing disrepair claims. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with private properties rented from Landlord. However, we can help clients with claims against landlords who rent council housing or are part of a housing association. Please keep this in mind if you are going to make a claim with our law firm.

With that said, our solicitors can help you get the compensation that you deserve. It can be incredibly stressful to deal with landlords. That’s why our lawyers are prepared to communicate with your landlord on your behalf. We can also assist with:

Handling any paperwork
Giving you expert advice
Helping you avoid any mistakes that could invalidate your claim
Keeping you updated about the progress of your claim
Assisting with setting up a settlement agreement date

The best way to find out more about how we can help you is to get in contact with our law firm. We can offer your personalized advice that will get you on the right track with your claim. That’s why it’s crucial that you get in contact with us as quickly as possible to get started.

Gowing Law Solicitors are here to help with your claim

Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we are determined to assist you with your housing disrepair claim. That way you can get the pay-out that you deserve if your landlord has been negligent. We can offer you free advice and consultations to get you started with your claim. If you are happy to work with our professional lawyers, we can offer our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will always come out on top and will never need to pay any hidden fees.

Contact us today by calling 0161 464 4444, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or through our claims checker. One of our specialists will then be in contact to answer any additional questions you may have.

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

If you want to learn more about housing disrepair claims, our blog is the best place to visit! We update is regularly with new content about UK law, seasonal events and our own latest law firm announcements. Keep an eye on it to see what we talk about next! We also update our social media with competitions, giveaways and interesting video content. Make sure to give us a follow. If you would like to suggest a blog topic, feel free to send it into info@gowinglaw.co.uk.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

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