Housing disrepair solicitors: which route is right for you?
If your landlord has ignored damp, mould, leaks or broken heating, you have two realistic routes to compensation and repair: go to a housing disrepair solicitor directly, or use a claims company like us that screens your case and refers it to an SRA-regulated solicitor. This page lays both out honestly so you can pick the one that fits your situation.
We're a regulated company, not a law firm. We screen your case for free and only proceed if it has real merit. If it doesn't, we tell you straight.
At a glance
| Factor | Direct solicitor | A claims company (like us) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No win, no fee | No win, no fee |
| Speed | 3-6 months for most settlements | 3-6 months (we handle intake faster) |
| Max compensation | Unlimited (court can award full damages) | Same as solicitor, we use an SRA-regulated panel |
| Forces repair? | Yes (court order if needed) | Yes (panel solicitor pursues) |
| Effort for you | Medium (solicitor handles, you provide evidence) | Low (we screen, package, hand off) |
| Finding the right lawyer | You search and vet them yourself | We route to a panel firm with the right specialism |
When to use a solicitor directly
Going to a solicitor without a claims company in between makes sense if:
- You already know a housing disrepair solicitor
- Your case is unusual or complex enough that you want to pick your own counsel
- You'd rather agree the fee directly with a solicitor yourself
- You're a confident client who doesn't need someone to screen the case for you
The Law Society's Find a Solicitor directory lets you filter for housing specialism. Look for SRA authorisation and ask about housing disrepair specifically (it's a narrow field).
When to use a claims company (like us)
This route fits when:
- You don't know where to start
- You want someone to do the screening, evidence-gathering, correspondence and chasing
- You want the no-win-no-fee setup without doing your own solicitor due-diligence
- You don't want to spend mental energy on the case beyond providing the evidence and waiting for outcomes
- You want a dedicated housing disrepair solicitor (we naturally route you to one, generalist high-street firms often won't take these cases)
We charge nothing upfront, and nothing at all if you lose. If you win, the solicitor's fee only comes out of your compensation, never out of your own pocket.
What to avoid
Not all firms are equal. Walk away from any claims company that:
- Cold-calls you out of the blue (illegal under FCA rules)
- Won't give you their FCA registration number (verify any firm at register.fca.org.uk)
- Charges any upfront fee
- Pressures you to sign on the call without sending the agreement to read
- Tells you you'll get a guaranteed amount (no one can guarantee a claim)
Our FCA number is 1020217. You can verify it independently.
FAQs
Is using a solicitor better than using a claims company?
It depends on what you want. A claims company screens your case, gathers the evidence, and refers it to an SRA-regulated solicitor on a panel. A direct solicitor does the legal work but expects you to find them and approach them yourself. Most viable cases go through a solicitor either way; the difference is whether someone screens and packages it for you first.
How much do housing disrepair solicitors charge?
On no-win-no-fee terms, nothing upfront. The fee only comes out of your compensation if you win, never out of your own pocket. Some solicitors recover their costs separately from the landlord; others recover from your damages. Always get the fee structure in writing before signing.
Can I switch solicitors mid-case?
Yes. Your case file legally belongs to you. See /switching-solicitors for the process, your previous solicitor can't refuse to release the file, and the same agreed fee applies across the whole case, not per solicitor.
How do I check a claims company is genuine?
Verify their FCA registration number on the public register at register.fca.org.uk. A genuine firm will give you the number without hesitation, never charge an upfront fee, never cold-call you, and always send the agreement for you to read before you sign. Our FCA number is 1020217.
Not sure if you have a claim?
Take our eligibility quiz, five questions, an honest answer. No form, no email. We'll tell you straight whether your case is worth pursuing.
Take the eligibility quizBy: Support for Tenants editorial team
Last updated:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 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.