Living with disrepair in Swadlincote 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 Swadlincote
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, every landlord in Swadlincote must keep the structure and exterior of your home in repair, along with the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 goes further: your home must be fit to live in from the day your tenancy starts and for as long as it lasts. These duties apply to council homes, housing association properties and private rentals in Swadlincote alike.
Typical disrepair issues in and around Swadlincote include:
- Kitchen problems
- Windows problems
- Toilet problems
- Plumbing problems
- Heating problems
- Leaking problems
- Ceiling problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Swadlincote
Here is what happens when you ask us to look at a housing disrepair claim in Swadlincote.
- 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. 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 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 Swadlincote
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 Swadlincote 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 Swadlincote 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 Swadlincote
Housing disrepair in Swadlincote: frequently asked questions
Does Housing Benefit or Universal Credit affect my claim?
No. Compensation is calculated on the rent charged for the property, whoever pays it. If your rent is paid in full or in part by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit you can still claim, and the compensation is paid to you.
Can I make a housing disrepair claim against the council in Swadlincote?
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 Swadlincote are against social landlords.
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.
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.
Will I be evicted for making a claim in Swadlincote?
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.