If you are making a Housing Disrepair Claim, you are trying to prove that your landlord has refused to help fix the damages within your council home. It is the responsibility of your landlord to ensure that you live in a habitable home that’s safe enough for you and your family to spend in time.
If the house is suffering from damages, you need to get them sorted as quickly as possible. The longer you leave them, the more likely it is that they are going to get worse, or potentially cause additional damages to your belongings and property. That’s why it is crucial that you take photographic evidence of the damages to prove that you are not exaggerating the extent of the disrepairs. Instead, you should collect evidence of the damages to give to your solicitor to build your case. It’s time for you to receive the compensation that you deserve and to have your disrepairs finally fixed!
Gowing Law Solicitors will be there to support you on this difficult journey. Not only can we provide you with solid advice, but all of our consultations are completely free. If you have any questions about making a housing disrepair claim, you can get in contact with our specialists at any time. Feel free to call us on 0800 041 8350 or use the button below to visit our Housing Disrepair Claims website:
What are the basics of housing disrepairs?
Before we jump into the evidence of your housing disrepair claim, let’s take a moment to discuss the basics of housing disrepairs in general. Whether you live in a council house or a property provided by the housing association, a landlord is responsible for the external structures, internal structures and belongings within the household. This includes any furniture that may have already been in the house. Take a look below at the image to get a better idea of what your landlord is responsible for keeping in good repair within your home:
When you notice a disrepair, it’s crucial that inform your landlord as quickly as possible about it. This is due to the fact that you are required to provide your landlord notice. Ultimately, you need to provide them time to actually assess the damages and find an engineer who can fix this. It may also entail them coming to the property to see the damages for themselves. So, be prepared to give them access to your house. That or you should let them know an appropriate time to come visit.
Photographic Evidence: Why do I need it?
When your home is suffering from disrepairs, the first thing you want to do is prove that you are not exaggerating the extent of your damages. This is why photographic evidence can be crucial when it comes to proving your case, especially if you go on to make a housing disrepair claim. Take a look at the infographic below to learn why photographs are going to be some of the most useful evidence that you have:
By taking a picture, your main objective is to show evidence of the disrepairs in all their glory. You need to prove that they are being ignored by your landlord. That is what will make up the foundation of your housing disrepair claim. After all, if there is an image of the damages then you landlord will not be able to say they are exaggerated. Instead, it may prove the case that your landlord is guilty of negligence. This is due to the fact that they have allowed for the disrepairs to worsen without taking action. They have broken their “duty of care.” Even during the pandemic and recent lockdown, they had a responsibility towards you and need to be held accountable for the disrepairs.
What other types of evidence could I use to prove that I have a housing disrepair claim?
If you are thinking about making a housing disrepair claim to have your repairs finally taken care of by your landlord, it’s important to understand that there is more evidence out there than just photographs to prove your claim. Ultimately, you are looking to claim for different types of damages that you have gone through. This includes physical damages (aka. injuries), property damage, general inconvenience, financial damages, technology damages and loss of opportunity. For each damage you claim, it’s crucial that you have some form of evidence to back it up. So, if you suffered from emotional and physical damages, you may decide to go to a doctor. That way you can receive a medical report or you could speak to a witness who can back up your claims.
The main forms of evidence can include, but are not limited to:
- Photographs
- Videos
- Witness statements
- Damaged belongings
- Medical reports
- Police reports
- Receipts
- Wage slips
- Diary entries
- Correspondence with your landlord
- The letter of notice about the damages
Once you have found your evidence, make sure to take copies of it and file it away accordingly. That way when you get started on your housing disrepair claim, you can have it sorted out ready for your lawyer to look over.
What will make me eligible for a housing disrepair claim?
We understand that it can be frustrating to be left with disrepairs in your home. You are not responsible for fixing them. It should be your landlord that takes the appropriate steps to pay for the repair work. That’s why you may have decided that the best way forward is to get started on a housing disrepair claim. This is where Gowing Law Solicitors can step in to help you.
Your claim must fall into one of these three categories for you to be eligible for compensation from your landlord:
Keep in mind that it is possible that you fall into more than one of these categories. For instance, if your bedroom was suffering from a mould issue, you could say that the mould damaged your clothes and belongings. At the same time, you found it was impossible to sleep in the room. This was due to the growing mould, meaning that you were inconvenienced. As you suffered from asthma, the mould ended making it worse. That meant you had to go to hospital to have your personal injury sorted by a doctor. In this situation, you can see that it falls into all three categories. That’s why the best person to speak to about your eligibility is your solicitor.
Speak to Gowing Law Solicitors today to get started on your Housing Disrepair Claim
In our most recent Housing Disrepair Claim’s case, it only took us 6 weeks to get our client both compensation the repairs they needed to live in comfort. We want to do the same thing for you. It’s essential that you are able to live in your home without feeling trapped or like the accommodation is a waste of money. That’s why our solicitors can provide you with free advice and consultations. If you are happy to work with them, they can offer their 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.
Speak to the specialists at Gowing Law today by calling 0800 041 8350, emailing info@gowinglaw.co.uk or by using our claim’s checker. One of our team members will then be in contact to discuss your claim further. Feel free to ask them any additional questions you may have. If your claim is urgent, you can also use our LiveChat on our contact page to get in touch with our law team ASAP.
Want to learn more about Housing Disrepair Claims?
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