Damp creeping up the walls, a boiler that never works, a leak that has been "logged" five times and still drips: tenants across Brunstock contact us every week with problems their landlord should have fixed long ago. If that sounds familiar, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim. There is nothing to pay up front and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.
Your landlord's repair duties in Brunstock
Whoever your landlord in Brunstock is, the law is the same. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 makes them responsible for the structure and outside of the building and for the pipes, wiring, boiler and sanitary fittings inside it. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 adds a duty to keep the property free from serious hazards such as damp, mould, cold and dangerous electrics. You cannot sign these rights away, and your tenancy agreement cannot remove them.
Tenants in Brunstock most often contact us about:
- Toilet problems
- Cracks problems
- Guttering problems
- Heating problems
- Structural problems
- Ceiling problems
- Electric problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Brunstock
Making a claim is simpler than most tenants in Brunstock expect, and we handle the difficult parts for you.
- Free claim check. Tell us what is wrong, when you first reported it and who your landlord is. We will tell you honestly whether you have a claim.
- Evidence and inspection. We gather your photos, letters, texts and emails, and arrange for an independent surveyor to inspect your home in Brunstock and prepare a report.
- Letter of claim. A formal letter puts the landlord on notice. Most landlords, including councils and housing associations, settle at this stage rather than go to court.
- Repairs and compensation. The repairs are completed to the surveyor's specification and your compensation is paid. If the landlord refuses, court proceedings can be issued on your behalf.
Compensation for tenants in Brunstock
Compensation for housing disrepair is usually worked out as a percentage of the rent you paid while the problems were unresolved, typically between 20% and 50% depending on how serious the disrepair was and how much of your home it affected. It does not matter whether you pay the rent yourself or it is covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
For example, a tenant in Brunstock paying £900 a month (£10,800 a year) whose claim is valued at 35% would receive around £3,780 for each year of disrepair, or about £7,560 over 2 years, before adding anything for damaged belongings or ill health. Claims can go back up to six years.
Disrepair problems we help Brunstock tenants with
Choose the problem closest to yours for detailed guidance.
Heating disrepair
No heating or hot water, a boiler that keeps breaking down or radiators that never get warm: your landlord must fix it…
Leaks and water damage
Leaks from roofs, pipes, bathrooms or the flat above that your landlord has failed to trace and fix, and the damage…
Damp, mould and wall problems
Damp patches, black mould, crumbling plaster, failed cavity wall insulation or a broken damp-proof course: wall…
Window and door disrepair
Rotten frames, broken glass, windows that will not open or close, failed double glazing, draughts and doors that do not…
Bathroom disrepair
Leaking baths and showers, cracked basins, mould that keeps returning, no hot water, broken extractor fans and…
Guttering disrepair
Blocked, broken or missing gutters and downpipes that pour water down the walls, causing penetrating damp, mould and…
Plumbing disrepair
Burst or leaking pipes, blocked drains, no water pressure, faulty stopcocks and waste pipes that back up into your home.
Structural disrepair
Subsidence, movement, tree root damage, failed lintels, dangerous stairs and balconies and other defects in the…
Cracks in walls and ceilings
Cracked plaster, render and brickwork that your landlord has ignored, from cosmetic cracks that hide damp to cracks…
Roof disrepair
Missing tiles, leaking flat roofs, defective flashing, rotten roof timbers and chimneys letting water in: roof problems…
Kitchen disrepair
Leaking sinks, broken units, dangerous worktops, faulty cooker connections, pests and damp that make the kitchen unsafe…
Toilet disrepair
Blocked, leaking, cracked or constantly running toilets, broken cisterns and soil pipes, and homes left without a…
Pest infestations
Mice, rats, cockroaches, bed bugs, ants and other infestations caused or allowed to continue by defects your landlord…
Ceiling disrepair
Stained, cracked, sagging or collapsed ceilings caused by leaks from roofs, bathrooms or the flat above that your…
Electrical disrepair
Dangerous wiring, tripping fuse boards, broken sockets and lights, no electrical safety certificate and water near…
What tenants say
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Case studies
Case studies describing real claims (with the tenant's permission and details anonymised) will be published here.
Map of Brunstock
Housing disrepair in Brunstock: frequently asked questions
Will I be evicted for making a claim in Brunstock?
Secure and assured tenants of councils and housing associations cannot be evicted for making a disrepair claim. Private tenants in England are protected from "retaliatory eviction" where the council has served an improvement notice, and the Renters' Rights reforms have strengthened protection further. We will explain your position before you decide to go ahead.
Do I have to pay anything?
No. We work on a no win, no fee basis. There is nothing to pay up front, and if the claim is unsuccessful you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, legal costs are recovered from your landlord and an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation, which we explain clearly before you sign anything.
Can I claim for damage to my furniture and belongings?
Yes. Compensation can include the cost of replacing furniture, carpets, clothing, bedding and electrical goods damaged by damp, mould, leaks or pests, and the extra money spent on heating a cold, damp home. Keep receipts and photos wherever you can.
How far back can a housing disrepair claim go?
You can usually claim for up to six years of disrepair, counting back from the date the claim is started. Children have longer: a claim for a child's ill health can be brought up to three years after their 18th birthday.
What if the repairs have now been done?
You can still claim compensation for the time you lived with the disrepair before it was fixed, provided you had reported it to the landlord and the claim is brought within six years.