Making a disrepair claim
How claims work, the evidence you need, the time limits, and how the process runs from first call to settlement.
Guides in this topic
39 plain-English guides. 3 to 5 minute reads, no jargon, free to use.
- Complete guide to housing disrepair claims in England and WalesEverything tenants need to know about housing disrepair claims. The law, your rights, the process, evidence, compensation, deadlines, and what to do step by step.9 min read
- Do I need a solicitor for a housing disrepair claim?You do not strictly need a solicitor for a housing disrepair claim. Compare bringing a claim yourself, instructing a solicitor directly, and using a regulated referral service.4 min read
- What is no win, no fee? (housing disrepair, plain English)No win, no fee explained: how it works, what comes out of your compensation, and what happens if you lose. Plain English, no jargon.1 min read
- Can I get legal aid for a housing disrepair claim?Legal aid is money from the government to pay for legal help. For housing disrepair claims, it is mostly not on offer in the way some people hope. Other3 min read
- How much compensation could I get for housing disrepair?How disrepair compensation is worked out in England and Wales: a share of your rent for the time the problem lasted, plus damaged belongings and any health impact.2 min read
- How is housing disrepair compensation calculated?Disrepair compensation is the rent you paid times the months affected times a severity percentage (courts use 10% to 100%), plus out-of-pocket costs and any injury award.4 min read
- What evidence do I need for a housing disrepair claim?The full evidence checklist for a disrepair claim: photos, written reports, medical notes, receipts, and the paper trail that wins cases.2 min read
- What photos to take for a disrepair claimA simple photo checklist for damp, mould, leaks, broken heating, and disrepair. What to capture, how to date it, and how to store it safely.2 min read
- What is a Pre-Action Protocol? (housing disrepair, plain English)The Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims sets the rules before any court case. Here's what it means for tenants and landlords.2 min read
- How long does a housing disrepair claim take?Most disrepair claims settle in 6-12 months. Here's what happens at each stage, what can speed it up, and what tends to slow it down.2 min read
- How long do I have to make a disrepair claim?There are time limits for a housing disrepair claim, usually six years, and three years for illness caused by the disrepair. Here is what they mean and why acting sooner helps.1 min read
- Can I claim if the repair has already been fixed?Yes. You can still claim disrepair compensation for the time you lived with the problem, even after your landlord has finally fixed it. Here's how.3 min read
- Can I claim disrepair against a private landlord?Yes. Private tenants in England claim under Section 11 and the Fitness for Human Habitation Act. In Wales the route is your occupation contract. Here's how it works.2 min read
- Can I claim for disrepair if I'm a lodger?Lodgers who live with their landlord usually cannot bring a disrepair claim, but you still have some rights. Here is what to do and who can help.1 min read
- Can I claim housing disrepair after I have moved out?Often yes. You usually have up to 6 years to claim for disrepair, even after you have left. Here is the law and what proof helps.2 min read
- Can I claim for belongings damaged by disrepair?Mould-ruined mattresses, warped flooring, soaked electronics: what counts as 'special damages' in a disrepair claim and how to evidence it.2 min read
- Can I claim disrepair if I'm behind on rent?Rent arrears do not block a disrepair claim. Here's how arrears interact with compensation, and what you should know before claiming.2 min read
- Can I get money back on my rent for disrepair?If your home was not fit to live in, your compensation can include money back on the rent you paid during that time. Here is how that works.1 min read
- If disrepair has caused an injury or made me ill, can I claim?If a leak, mould, unsafe wiring or other disrepair has caused an injury or illness, you may be able to claim for both the disrepair and the harm.1 min read
- My service charge bill seems wrong, what can I do?Leaseholders can challenge unreasonable service charges at the First-tier Tribunal. Here is how to ask for a breakdown, get free advice, and where we fit in.1 min read
- Can you help with a group claim for a block of flats?If several flats in your block have the same disrepair, here is how it works. Each home is checked as its own case, and they can be lined up together. Call 0800 030 4669.1 min read
- Is there any cost to you? How our fees workHow the claim check, solicitor referral and Conditional Fee Agreement work, including the exact funding promise and what to ask before signing.1 min read
- What happens after you contact us?After you get in touch, we call you back, book a free home inspection, and pass strong cases to a no win, no fee solicitor. Here is the journey, step by step.1 min read
- Do you cover my area?Support for Tenants helps tenants across England and Wales. Wherever you live, call 0800 030 4669 and we will tell you straight away if we can help.1 min read
- What is a Defective Premises Act claim?The Defective Premises Act 1972 gives tenants, visitors, and neighbours a right to claim when a landlord's failure to maintain property causes harm.4 min read
- My home is unfit to live in. What are my rights?If your home is unfit to live in, you have legal rights under the Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018. Here is what you can do and who can help.4 min read
- My landlord sold the property while I still had disrepair: can I still claim?Yes. A landlord who sold the property while it sat in disrepair can still be claimed against for that period. Selling up wipes out none of their liability.2 min read
- Letter before action for housing disrepair: what it is and how it worksBefore a formal disrepair claim, you usually send a letter before action, also called an LBA or pre-action letter. It formally warns the landlord that court3 min read
- Rent-to-rent: who is responsible for repairs?Rent-to-rent deals run common in private renting. A company or person rents a home from the owner, promising the owner a fixed rent, then rents it out again3 min read
- Court injunction to force repairs: getting an order for specific worksAn injunction is a court order. It makes your landlord actually do the repairs, not just pay you money. You can use it when the work is urgent or the4 min read
- How to report disrepair to your landlord: and what to do if they ignore youReporting disrepair correctly is the first and most important step. A later claim, or a council referral, leans on a clear record of when and how you told2 min read
- Small claims court and housing disrepair: what you need to knowHas your landlord failed to do repairs, leaving you out of pocket? You may be able to claim through the county court without a solicitor. The small claims3 min read
- Scott schedule in housing disrepair claims: what it is and how it worksA Scott schedule is a court document. It lines up two sides' positions on a list of disputed points. In disrepair cases it sets the tenant's and landlord's2 min read
- Housing association disrepair claims: what you need to knowHousing associations are registered social landlords. They rent out homes at lower prices. Just like private landlords, they have a legal duty to look after3 min read
- How housing disrepair settlements workMost housing disrepair claims settle before any court hearing. A settlement means landlord and tenant reach a deal, usually on repairs and compensation,3 min read
- Expert witnesses in housing disrepair claimsExpert witnesses play a crucial role in disrepair claims. They provide independent, professional opinions on the condition of a property, the cause of3 min read
- Interim payments in housing disrepair claimsIn some disrepair cases, a tenant can ask the court for an interim payment: money the landlord pays before the case ends. Here is what one is, when you can2 min read
- Can I make a housing disrepair claim without a solicitor?Yes. The law does not make you use a solicitor. Some tenants do bring claims on their own. They usually use the Pre-Action Protocol. For smaller claims, they4 min read
- Medical evidence in a housing disrepair claim: why it mattersHas your home's condition affected your health? Medical evidence can add a lot to your claim, because it supports a personal-injury element on top of the3 min read
Free tools that might help
Ready to take a step? These are free to use, with no email required.
Estimate your compensation
Move three sliders to see a rough compensation range for a disrepair claim. No form, no email.
Open
Build a complaint letter
Make a formal disrepair letter to your landlord that cites the right law. Free, no email needed.
Open
Free letter templates
Plain-English letters to copy, fill in or print: to your landlord, for complaints, and a repair diary.
Open
This is what we do. You may have a claim.
If your landlord has left your home in disrepair, we can check whether you may have a claim. Free call, no pressure. 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.