Writing a medical evidence letter to support a housing disrepair claim

If you are a doctor, nurse specialist, occupational therapist, or other healthcare professional whose patient is living in a property with disrepair, a letter from you can be powerful evidence in their claim. Below, we walk through what a useful housing medical letter includes and how to structure it.

Why the letter matters

In a housing disrepair claim, the claimant must show that the disrepair caused or significantly worsened harm, to their health, their quality of life, or their ability to use their home. A letter from a treating clinician who has seen the patient and is familiar with their condition is among the most persuasive evidence a court or settlement negotiation will consider.

You do not need to express a legal opinion, attribute blame to the landlord, or conclude that the housing conditions definitely caused the harm. You need to explain the medical picture and indicate what plausibly connects the conditions described to your patient's health.

What to include

1. Your professional credentials

State your name, professional registration, and role (for example, "General Practitioner at [Practice Name], registered with the General Medical Council").

2. Your patient

Confirm the patient's name, date of birth, and how long they have been your patient or under your care.

3. The medical history relevant to the claim

Describe the conditions and symptoms that are relevant, for example, respiratory problems, skin conditions, mental health, or musculoskeletal issues. Include:

• When symptoms were first presented or diagnosed
• The trajectory (worsening, improving, stable)
• Any referrals, hospital admissions, or specialist involvement

You do not need to share the entire medical record, only what is relevant to the claim.

4. The housing conditions as reported by the patient

State what the patient has told you about their home: damp, mould, no heating, structural problems. You are reporting the patient's account, you do not need to have visited the property.

5. Your clinical opinion on the connection

This is the most important part. Express your clinical view on whether the conditions described are consistent with the health problems, and whether in your clinical judgement the housing conditions are likely to have contributed. Useful formulations include:

• "In my clinical opinion, the damp and mould described is consistent with the respiratory symptoms my patient presents with."
• "I would expect persistent cold exposure at the level described to worsen my patient's existing cardiovascular condition."
• "The pattern of symptom improvement when the patient is away from home and deterioration when at home is, in my view, consistent with an environmental cause of the kind described."

You are not giving a legal opinion, you are giving a clinical opinion in the same way you would in any referral letter.

6. The effect on the patient's quality of life

Where relevant, describe the impact on daily function, sleep, work, and care of dependents. Courts consider not just medical diagnoses but the impact on ordinary life.

What you do not need to include

• A legal opinion on who is responsible
• Certainty that the housing caused the harm (clinical opinion does not require certainty, only that it is a likely or plausible contributing factor)
• A visit to the property

Confidentiality

The letter will be used in the patient's civil claim. The patient should sign a consent form authorising you to write and release the letter. In a no-win no-fee claim, the solicitor or claims service typically handles consent forms as part of the instruction process.

Format

A letter on headed paper addressed to the patient's solicitor or claims service, signed, dated, and carrying your GMC or professional registration number, is the standard format. Most clinicians find it easier to dictate this as a short letter than to complete a formal medico-legal report, and for housing claims, a concise clinical letter is usually sufficient.

How to refer

If you believe your patient has a disrepair claim and they have not yet sought advice, you can refer them to Support for Tenants by calling 0800 030 4669 on their behalf (with their consent), or by giving them the number to call themselves.

Sources

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home (GOV.UK)
• Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims, England (justice.gov.uk)

Related articles for professionals

• How to refer a patient to Support for Tenants
• Signs of disrepair, a quick checklist for professionals
• Social worker guide to housing disrepair referrals
• Consent and confidentiality when referring to us