As we get closer to Christmas, we are thinking about all of the relaxation and fun we are going to have over the holidays. It’s important that you have a nice warm home that you and your family can live in comfortably. Whether you live in a council house or a property from the housing association, it is the responsibility of your landlord to provide you with accommodation that is suitable for all of your needs. Now that the weather is getting colder, and there are winter storms, all over the country, the last thing that you need in your house is a broken water system in your house. The lack of hot water can be a disaster for you and your family. You may find that it makes your house uninhabitable and that it causes a lot of inconvenience for you and your family. This is an example of one of the worst types of housing disrepairs. You need to start looking into housing disrepair claims ASAP.
Your landlord is responsible for the upkeep of your home. They need to make sure that you are comfortable and safe. If they fail to do this, then they will be responsible for any damages that happen in your home. Gowing Law Solicitors can help you with your housing disrepair claim. We can provide you the support you need during this difficult time. Find out how we can help by calling 0800 041 8350 or by using our website below:
What do I need to know about housing disrepair claims?
Whether you have moved into a council house or a property from the housing association, it’s important that you understand that your landlord is in control of the house. They own the house, therefore, they need to make sure that it is fully habitable for you and your family. When you enter the house as a tenant, your landlord needs to ensure the safety of you and any other resident that is within the house. As a tenant of the house, you will have the right to the following:
Your landlord owes you a “duty of care” when you live in the property. Therefore, if something does go wrong, such as a lack of hot water in your property, they need to be ready to get it fixed. You should alert your landlord through a physical letter as well as electronic conversation, such as an email, text or even through a phone call. Your landlord will then come over to look at the disrepair or send over a contractor to take a look. The repairs will then be sorted out. If they fail to do so, they could guilty of negligence. Examples of negligence include:
If your landlord has acted negligently, you need to get started on a housing disrepair claim as quickly possible. That way your solicitor can assist you with making a case. Don’t forget to collect evidence to back up your damage claims. This can include photographs, videos, witness statements and receipts. The more evidence you have, the more likely it is that you will have a successful claim on your hands. Ultimately, this means you could be owed up to £20,000 in compensation!
Hot water issues & landlords
It’s crucial that your landlord acts responsibly and follows the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985. According to this law, it is illegal for your landlord to refuse to service your house by repairing, supplying or maintaining a hot water system. In other words, they need to make sure:
- Keeping all water, gas and electricity systems in good repair
- Ensuring that installations for heating rooms and water are in good repair
If you notice that your hot water is not working, it’s crucial that you inform your landlord as quickly as possible. Your landlord cannot just ignore your requests for help. In fact, for hot water complaints, your landlord should make sure they take action within 24 hours of you informing them of the disrepair. Although you also have a responsibility to try and keep your house free from disrepairs, in some cases age and broken installations can cause problems for you and your family. When this happens, it is crucial that your landlord steps in to help. It was not your fault, therefore, it is not your responsibility to have the issues fixed.
What could happen if I do not have hot water?
Hot water is an essential part of your house. You need hot water to do daily tasks and to feel comfortable in your home. If you are suffering from a lack of gas or electricity, and that is what is causing your cold water, you may find that you are unable to make yourself food or get yourself cleaned up in your bathroom. Without the right facilities in your home, you may find that it’s impossible to live comfortably in your house. Instead, you may feel cold, dirty and unable to do simple tasks, like making a cup of tea for yourself. This is an inconvenience and you may find that your quality of life is lowered.
If you have a large family in your house, including vulnerable pensioners, adults or children, you may find that a lack of hot water could make it difficult to keep going forward with daily tasks and life in general. Stagnant water could spread disease. If you are unable to get yourself washed, this can also make you feel grubby and worried about the health of your family in general. You may not have access to alternative facilities, therefore, your life may end up getting a lot harder than you anticipated.
Can I make a Housing Disrepair Claim for a lack of hot water?
Whether you are experiencing the effects of a broken boiler, faulty pipes, gas or electricity, your landlord should not be ignoring any disrepairs that are going on in your house. Instead, they should be trying to get them fixed as fast as possible. If you are suffering due to the lack of hot water in your house, you should seek legal help as quickly as you can. Gowing Law’s expert team of solicitors are here to assist you with housing disrepair claims. Not only can we provide you advice, but our solicitors will speak to your landlord on your behalf. That means they can fill out any tricky paperwork and advise you on how to move forward.
When you work with our team of specialists, the following process should take place:
The amount of time needed to complete your claim will depend on the extent of the damages, whether or not your landlord is happy to work with our team and any additional complexities that may interfere with your claim. Be patient with your solicitor. They will do their best to ensure that you will always be informed about any decisions that are made. That way you can get your repairs sorted out and your compensation in your pocket.
Are you ready to start your housing disrepair claim?
Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we are ready to help you with your housing disrepair claim. No matter how complicated your claim is, Gowing Law will be there to help you through this difficult time. Our lawyers will provide you free advice and consultations to get you started. If you are happy to move on with your case, our solicitors will work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only have to pay our lawyers if they win your case for you. Therefore, you will always come out on top.
Find out how Gowing Law Solicitors can help with your housing disrepair claim by calling us on 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claims checker. Feel free to ask our solicitors any questions that may come to mind. We would be more than happy to help.
Learn more about housing disrepair claims
Gowing Law Solicitors updates its blog every week with brand new content for you to enjoy. We know that undertaking a housing disrepair claim on your own can be a bit of a daunting process. That’s why we want to help you understand what these types of claims are all about. We update our blog every week with brand new information for you to read about. That way, when you start on your claim, you can go into it understanding the basics. We update our blog with UK legal claims, seasonal events and competitions/giveaways. You can even suggest blog topics for our website by writing into info@gowinglaw.co.uk. Make sure to also follow our newsletter by signing up below:
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