Your landlord in Horseport 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 Horseport
Tenants in Horseport sometimes assume that because a repair has been "reported" they have done all they can. In fact, once a landlord knows about a problem they have a legal duty, under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, to put it right within a reasonable time. What counts as reasonable depends on the problem: a dangerous electrical fault or total loss of heating in winter should be dealt with in days, not months.
Typical disrepair issues in and around Horseport include:
- Heating problems
- Windows problems
- Toilet problems
- Guttering problems
- Ceiling problems
- Structural problems
- Kitchen problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Horseport
Making a claim is simpler than most tenants in Horseport expect, and we handle the difficult parts for you.
- Free claim check. Tell us what is wrong, when you first reported it and who your landlord is. We will tell you honestly whether you have a claim.
- 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 landlord receives a formal letter of claim and has a set period to respond, carry out repairs and make an offer.
- Repairs and compensation. You get the repairs done, you get paid, and because the claim is no win, no fee, our costs are recovered from the landlord.
Compensation for tenants in Horseport
Most awards are based on the rent paid during the period of disrepair. Mild problems in one room might attract around 20% of rent; a home made largely uninhabitable by damp, mould or no heating can attract 50% or more. Damaged furniture, clothing and carpets, and any health effects, are added on top.
For example, a tenant in Horseport paying £500 a month (£6,000 a year) whose claim is valued at 25% would receive around £1,500 for each year of disrepair, or about £3,000 over 2 years, before adding anything for damaged belongings or ill health. Claims can go back up to six years.
Disrepair problems we help Horseport 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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Case studies
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Map of Horseport
Housing disrepair in Horseport: frequently asked questions
Will I be evicted for making a claim in Horseport?
Secure and assured tenants of councils and housing associations cannot be evicted for making a disrepair claim. Private tenants in England are protected from "retaliatory eviction" where the council has served an improvement notice, and the Renters' Rights reforms have strengthened protection further. We will explain your position before you decide to go ahead.
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.
How long does a housing disrepair claim in Horseport take?
Many claims settle within six to nine months of the letter of claim. Urgent repairs can often be forced through much sooner, and if your landlord accepts liability early the whole process can be quicker. Cases that go to court take longer, but that is rare.
Will someone need to inspect my home in Horseport?
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.
I am a private tenant in Horseport. Can I still claim?
Yes. Private landlords have the same repairing obligations as councils and housing associations. The main difference is the type of tenancy you hold, which affects your security of tenure. We will explain how that applies to you before you decide to proceed.