Your landlord in Benover is responsible for the structure of your home, its heating, water, gas and electrics, and for keeping it free from damp and mould. If you have reported a problem and nothing has happened, you could be entitled to repairs and compensation. We deal with your landlord for you, with no win, no fee, so you are never left out of pocket.
Your landlord's repair duties in Benover
Whoever your landlord in Benover is, the law is the same. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 makes them responsible for the structure and outside of the building and for the pipes, wiring, boiler and sanitary fittings inside it. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 adds a duty to keep the property free from serious hazards such as damp, mould, cold and dangerous electrics. You cannot sign these rights away, and your tenancy agreement cannot remove them.
Typical disrepair issues in and around Benover include:
- Ceiling problems
- Toilet problems
- Guttering problems
- Plumbing problems
- Pest problems
- Heating problems
- Bathroom problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Benover
Here is what happens when you ask us to look at a housing disrepair claim in Benover.
- Free claim check. A quick conversation is usually enough to tell whether your landlord in Benover has broken their repairing duties.
- 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 solicitor writes formally to the landlord under the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims, setting out the repairs required and the compensation claimed.
- 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 Benover
Compensation for housing disrepair is usually worked out as a percentage of the rent you paid while the problems were unresolved, typically between 20% and 50% depending on how serious the disrepair was and how much of your home it affected. It does not matter whether you pay the rent yourself or it is covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
For example, a tenant in Benover paying £700 a month (£8,400 a year) whose claim is valued at 35% would receive around £2,940 for each year of disrepair, or about £2,940 over 1 year, before adding anything for damaged belongings or ill health. Claims can go back up to six years.
Disrepair problems we help Benover 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…
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Map of Benover
Housing disrepair in Benover: frequently asked questions
What if the repairs have now been done?
You can still claim compensation for the time you lived with the disrepair before it was fixed, provided you had reported it to the landlord and the claim is brought within six years.
What if my landlord in Benover says the damp is my fault?
"Lifestyle" or "condensation" is a common response from landlords, but it is often wrong. Damp caused by leaking pipes, defective roofs, failed damp-proof courses or inadequate ventilation and heating is the landlord's responsibility. A surveyor can identify the real cause, and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act makes landlords responsible for homes that are unfit because of damp and mould.
Can I make a housing disrepair claim against the council in Benover?
Yes. Local councils and housing associations are landlords like any other and have exactly the same repairing duties under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Many of the claims we deal with for tenants in Benover are against social landlords.
Will someone need to inspect my home in Benover?
Usually yes. An independent surveyor visits at a time that suits you, photographs and measures every defect and writes a report. The visit normally takes an hour or two and the report becomes the backbone of your claim.
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.