What counts as housing disrepair?
Housing disrepair is when your landlord fails to keep your home in the condition the law requires. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 they must keep the structure and exterior in repair, along with the installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 also requires the home to be fit to live in. Damp, leaks and broken heating are common examples.
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Key facts
- Your landlord must keep the structure and exterior of your home in repair (section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985).
- They must also keep the installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation in working order.
- The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires the home to be fit to live in.
- Common examples: damp and mould, leaks, broken heating, faulty electrics, structural problems and pest infestations.
- It becomes a claim once your landlord knew about the problem and failed to fix it within a reasonable time.
The repair duty (section 11)
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is implied into most tenancies. It requires your landlord to keep the structure and exterior of your home in repair, and to keep the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation and heating in working order. This duty applies whether you rent from a council, a housing association or a private landlord.
The fitness-for-habitation duty
On top of repair, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires your home to be fit to live in for the whole tenancy. This can cover serious problems that affect health and safety, such as severe damp and mould, even where they go beyond a simple repair.
Common types of disrepair
The most common issues tenants claim for are damp and mould, leaks and water damage, broken or unsafe heating, faulty electrics, rotten windows and doors, structural cracks, and pest infestations linked to the condition of the building.
When disrepair becomes a claim
Disrepair generally becomes a claim once you have told your landlord about the problem, they have had a reasonable time to put it right, and they have not. That is why reporting it in writing and keeping a copy matters: it fixes the date your landlord was put on notice.
Related questions
Is damp and mould classed as housing disrepair?
Yes. Damp and mould are among the most common forms of disrepair, covered by both the repair duty and the fitness-for-habitation duty.
Does disrepair include broken heating?
Yes. Heating is one of the installations your landlord must keep in working order under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
What if the damage was caused by me?
Your landlord is generally not responsible for damage caused by you or your household. The repair duty covers fair wear and tear and faults that are the landlord's responsibility.
Does it count if I have not reported it?
The repair duty usually runs from when your landlord is told about the problem, so reporting it in writing is an important first step.
Sources and legislation
If your landlord has left repairs undone, we can take it forward for you. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Published:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 20 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.