Damp creeping up the walls, a boiler that never works, a leak that has been "logged" five times and still drips: tenants across Chilson 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 Chilson
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, every landlord in Chilson must keep the structure and exterior of your home in repair, along with the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 goes further: your home must be fit to live in from the day your tenancy starts and for as long as it lasts. These duties apply to council homes, housing association properties and private rentals in Chilson alike.
Typical disrepair issues in and around Chilson include:
- Kitchen problems
- Toilet problems
- Leaking problems
- Wall problems
- Roofing problems
- Bathroom problems
- Structural problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Chilson
We have kept the process as straightforward as possible for tenants in Chilson:
- Free claim check. Call us or fill in the short form. We ask about the problems, how long they have been going on and what your landlord has done about them.
- Evidence and inspection. An independent expert visits your home, records every defect and sets out exactly what your landlord needs to do to fix it.
- Letter of claim. Your landlord receives a formal letter of claim and has a set period to respond, carry out repairs and make an offer.
- Repairs and compensation. Once agreed, the landlord must complete the works and pay your compensation. If they will not cooperate, we can take the case to court.
Compensation for tenants in Chilson
Most awards are based on the rent paid during the period of disrepair. Mild problems in one room might attract around 20% of rent; a home made largely uninhabitable by damp, mould or no heating can attract 50% or more. Damaged furniture, clothing and carpets, and any health effects, are added on top.
For example, a tenant in Chilson paying £600 a month (£7,200 a year) whose claim is valued at 35% would receive around £2,520 for each year of disrepair, or about £7,560 over 3 years, before adding anything for damaged belongings or ill health. Claims can go back up to six years.
Disrepair problems we help Chilson 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
Reviews from tenants we have helped will appear here. Have we helped you? Leave a review.
Case studies
Case studies describing real claims (with the tenant's permission and details anonymised) will be published here.
Map of Chilson
Housing disrepair in Chilson: frequently asked questions
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.
What evidence do I need for a disrepair claim in Chilson?
Photos and videos of the problems, dated if possible; copies of letters, emails, texts or online repair requests to your landlord; receipts for damaged belongings or extra heating costs; and GP or hospital records if your health has been affected. Do not worry if you do not have everything. An independent surveyor's report usually becomes the main evidence.
Does Housing Benefit or Universal Credit affect my claim?
No. Compensation is calculated on the rent charged for the property, whoever pays it. If your rent is paid in full or in part by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit you can still claim, and the compensation is paid to you.
Will I be evicted for making a claim in Chilson?
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.
What repairs is my landlord responsible for in Chilson?
The structure and exterior of the building (roof, walls, windows, doors, gutters and drains), the installations for water, gas and electricity, sanitary fittings such as baths, toilets and sinks, and the heating and hot water system. They must also keep the home free from hazards such as damp, mould, pests and dangerous electrics.