Living with disrepair in Lytchett Matravers is stressful, unhealthy and, in many cases, unlawful. Landlords of rented homes, including councils, housing associations and private landlords, have a legal duty to carry out repairs within a reasonable time of being told about them. When they fail, our specialist team can step in, get the repairs done and recover compensation for everything you have been through.
Your landlord's repair duties in Lytchett Matravers
Whoever your landlord in Lytchett Matravers 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 Lytchett Matravers include:
- Cracks problems
- Plumbing problems
- Roofing problems
- Toilet problems
- Wall problems
- Windows problems
- Bathroom problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Lytchett Matravers
Here is what happens when you ask us to look at a housing disrepair claim in Lytchett Matravers.
- Free claim check. Call us or fill in the short form. We ask about the problems, how long they have been going on and what your landlord has done about them.
- Evidence and inspection. We build the case with your evidence and a professional survey of the property, so the landlord cannot dispute what is wrong.
- 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. The repairs are completed to the surveyor's specification and your compensation is paid. If the landlord refuses, court proceedings can be issued on your behalf.
Compensation for tenants in Lytchett Matravers
There is no fixed tariff, but courts and landlords generally value disrepair claims as a share of your rent for the affected period, commonly 20% to 50%. On top of that you can claim for damaged belongings, extra heating costs and any injury or illness the conditions caused.
For example, a tenant in Lytchett Matravers paying £900 a month (£10,800 a year) whose claim is valued at 25% would receive around £2,700 for each year of disrepair, or about £8,100 over 3 years, before adding anything for damaged belongings or ill health. Claims can go back up to six years.
Disrepair problems we help Lytchett Matravers 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 Lytchett Matravers
Housing disrepair in Lytchett Matravers: frequently asked questions
I am a private tenant in Lytchett Matravers. 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.
What if my landlord in Lytchett Matravers 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.
How far back can a housing disrepair claim go?
You can usually claim for up to six years of disrepair, counting back from the date the claim is started. Children have longer: a claim for a child's ill health can be brought up to three years after their 18th birthday.
Do I have to pay anything?
No. We work on a no win, no fee basis. There is nothing to pay up front, and if the claim is unsuccessful you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, legal costs are recovered from your landlord and an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation, which we explain clearly before you sign anything.
Will someone need to inspect my home in Lytchett Matravers?
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.