Damp creeping up the walls, a boiler that never works, a leak that has been "logged" five times and still drips: tenants across Winchfield contact us every week with problems their landlord should have fixed long ago. If that sounds familiar, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim. There is nothing to pay up front and nothing to pay if your claim does not succeed.
Your landlord's repair duties in Winchfield
Tenants in Winchfield 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.
Tenants in Winchfield most often contact us about:
- Pest problems
- Guttering problems
- Electric problems
- Wall problems
- Ceiling problems
- Structural problems
- Heating problems
- Any other defect that affects your health, safety or use of the home
How a housing disrepair claim works in Winchfield
Here is what happens when you ask us to look at a housing disrepair claim in Winchfield.
- 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 gather your photos, letters, texts and emails, and arrange for an independent surveyor to inspect your home in Winchfield and prepare a report.
- 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. 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 Winchfield
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 Winchfield paying £700 a month (£8,400 a year) whose claim is valued at 25% would receive around £2,100 for each year of disrepair, or about £4,200 over 2 years, before adding anything for damaged belongings or ill health. Claims can go back up to six years.
Disrepair problems we help Winchfield 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…
What tenants say
Reviews from tenants we have helped will appear here. Have we helped you? Leave a review.
Case studies
Case studies describing real claims (with the tenant's permission and details anonymised) will be published here.
Map of Winchfield
Housing disrepair in Winchfield: frequently asked questions
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.
What if my landlord in Winchfield 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.
Will someone need to inspect my home in Winchfield?
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.
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.
What evidence do I need for a disrepair claim in Winchfield?
Photos and videos of the problems, dated if possible; copies of letters, emails, texts or online repair requests to your landlord; receipts for damaged belongings or extra heating costs; and GP or hospital records if your health has been affected. Do not worry if you do not have everything. An independent surveyor's report usually becomes the main evidence.