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Here at Gowing Law Solicitors, we understand that the pandemic has been extremely difficult for our clients to cope with. Now we are past a full year, it can feeling tiring to adhere to social-distancing guidelines and you may be a bit burned out from it all. However, it’s essential that we try our best to keep going. That way we can protect our loved ones from Covid-19. So, what should you do if you have been told to isolate but are currently looking into Housing Disrepair Claims? Well, the first thing is don’t panic! We can help you sort out this situation so you can still get the repairs needed to ensure that you live in comfort.

To find out more about Housing Disrepair Claims and how you can ensure you can get the compensation pay-out that you deserve, you should speak to Gowing Law Solicitors as quickly as possible. You can do this by calling 0800 041 8350 or by visiting our website below:

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

Before we move on to how to protect yourself and our solicitors during the pandemic, let’s take a moment to discuss the basics of Housing Disrepair Claims and what you need to know about them. When you live in a council house or a property provided by a housing association, it is the responsibility of your landlord to ensure that it is in a habitable condition. That means they need to ensure that it is safe for you and your family to live in. Ultimately, this is known as a “duty of care”, meaning they are responsible for your health in relation to the provided home. If they fail to do this then they could be guilty of negligence, especially if you get hurt due to the disrepairs.

Take a look below for a better idea of what areas of your home your landlord is responsible for:

Landlord Responsibilities

It’s essential that when you notice a disrepair that you report it to your landlord as quickly as possible. This needs to be in both writing and through an email correspondence. You should also include any photographs. This is to prove that the disrepair happened and was entirely out of your control. You could claim your landlord is guilty of negligence if they ignore your messages, refuse to acknowledge the disrepair, allow the disrepair to get worse or even tell you that you need to get the repairs financed through your own pocket. This is when you should go to a solicitor for help.

Housing Disrepair Claim whilst living in a property

What could make me eligible for making Housing Disrepair Claims?

If you have been suffering from a Housing Disrepair and there is no indication that your landlord is interested in helping you fix it, it is time for you to start looking into Housing Disrepair Claims. You may be wondering what could actually make you eligible for compensation. Well, there are three main categories that you can fall into. These are:

Housing Disrepair Claim Eligibility

Now, it’s okay to fall into more than one of these categories. After all, everyone’s living situation is going to be different. For instance, let’s say that there was a damp and mould problem in your home. The mould could have caused damage to your clothing or furniture. However, in terms of personal injuries, it may have also caused you breathing issues that you needed to go to the hospital to get sorted out. This caused an inconvenience to your daily life because not only could you not use the room that had the mould in it, but it also means you have to interrupt your daily schedule to go to the hospital.

Your solicitor can help you understand what you could claim for. Every situation is different and they will make sure that you get personalized advice to ensure you get a positive outcome, including the repairs you need to live in comfort. After all, if you do get a notice to isolate then you don’t want to do this whilst living with a disrepair.

What will happen if I make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

Once you have settled on the idea that you are going to make a Housing Disrepair Claim, you may feel curious about what is going to happen next. After speaking with our solicitors, we will start on the compensation process and will speak with your landlord. At the same time, an assessor will be sent to your home in order to assess the damages. This assessor will provide you with a leaflet that will detail more information about what you could expect in the future whilst making a claim. Here is the process you will find in our leaflet:

The Claims Process

What should I do if I have to isolate before I get started on my Housing Disrepair Claim?

This is where things may get a little tricky. The first thing we would like to say is that it is not your fault. You are not to blame for isolating due to Covid-19 or being exposed to someone with Covid-19. However, it is your responsibility to inform your solicitor. You must also tell your landlord that you have been confirmed to have Covid-19 or have received a notification to isolate at home. You cannot have people over at your home if you are isolating from Covid-19. Instead, you will need to be patient and acknowledge that it may take a little longer to have the repairs sorted in your home.

In the meantime, keep taking pictures of the damages and take the advice of your solicitor to prevent any further disrepairs from happening. There is a chance as well that a video tour could be arranged as well that could involve your landlord, their assessor, your solicitor and your own triage assessor. That way the process can still continue but it can be conducted at a safe distance. Any feedback or reports can then be discussed over the video call. They can even be sent to you through email. That way no germs can be spread between person-to-person. You and any third parties involved in the process can continue to work on your claim but remain safe throughout it.

In the meantime, here are some ways that you can make the isolation process a little easier. We know it can be hard if you are stuck inside, especially if you are on your own.

Additional Advice:

  • Stay away from the affected area of your home as much as you can
  • Open all the windows to ensure that it is well-ventilated
  • If you have a garden or balcony, try and spend time on there to get fresh air
  • Stay warm with hot water bottles
  • If you are suffering from breathing difficulties, lie on your stomach to try and get some rest
  • Have your groceries delivered by a friend, relative or a delivery service
  • Keep your house clean and tidy- That way you can try to stem any mould or damp problems.
  • Make sure to try and do at least 15 minutes of exercise to keep yourself active around your home

For more advice, make sure to visit the NHS website. That way you can keep updated about the latest advice from the government.

Speak to Gowing Law Solicitors about Housing Disrepair Claims

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If you’re ready to get started on your own Housing Disrepair Claim, speak to Gowing Law Solicitors for more information. We know it can be a bit daunting to take on your landlord by yourself. That’s why our solicitors will be here to support you throughout the claim’s process. Not only can we offer you free advice and consultations to get you started. But if you are happy to move forward with our specialist lawyers, they can offer their services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never have to worry about any hidden fees. You will only need to pay our solicitors if they win your case for you. Therefore, you will always come out on top.

Contact our team of specialists today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. We will then be in touch to answer all of your questions.

Learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims

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Don’t forget that if you want to learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims, the best place to visit is Gowing Law’s blog page. We update our blog on a weekly basis. You can find all of the basic information about different claim’s information here! We even update our blog with facts about our law firm, seasonal events and the occasional giveaway/competition. If there is a blog topic you would like to suggest to our content team, send it to info@gowinglaw.co.uk. We would be more than happy to write about the topics that interest you. Make sure to also follow our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find our latest content.

We look forward to seeing you in our next blog!

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Gowing Law are a professional law firm that specialises in the personal injury sector of the industry. Gowing Law are Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Gowing Law are trusted by the people who they have helped in sucuring the compensation they deserve, with fantastic reviews across all review sites including Trustpilot & Google Reviews.

Gowing Law is law firm based in Manchester but offer their legal services nationwide. We specialise in the personal injury claims and our team of solicitors have the experience and expertise needed to handle your case and help you through the claims process.

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Email: Info@GowingLaw.co.uk
P: 0161 464 4444
Ivy Business Centre, Crown Street, Manchester, M35 9BG
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