How to Determine the Value of Your Housing Disrepair Claim

Tenants Deserve Safe and Habitable Homes: Understanding the Value of Your Housing Disrepair Claim

Tenants are entitled to a safe and habitable home, but some landlords neglect their duty of care, leading to disastrous outcomes. If you have encountered issues in your rented property, such as dampness, leaks, cracks, or faulty installations, it's crucial to understand the potential value of your housing disrepair claim.

Our team at Housing Disrepair Experts are a select group of skilled housing disrepair solicitors who provide assistance to individuals affected by housing disrepair. We take the time to comprehensively comprehend our clients' circumstances, allowing us to guide them through the process of resolving housing disrepair issues and pursuing rightful compensation.

As an enhanced permissions FCA regulated firm we are specialists in gathering evidence, advising clients and ultimately making representations and claims on your behalf.

This article provides an in-depth analysis of calculating compensation for disrepair claims, outlines the various types of damages that can be claimed, and offers advice on actions to take for a successful claim.

Personal Injury

In cases where a landlord fails to maintain a safe and habitable property, resulting in health issues for the tenant, compensation may be applicable. For example, frayed carpets could cause tripping hazards, mouldy walls may aggravate allergies or worsen pre-existing conditions like asthma, and weak floorboards could give way under a person's weight.

The severity and duration of the resulting health problems determine the compensation amount for personal injury caused by housing disrepair, which may also cover financial losses incurred as a direct consequence of the health issue, such as lost wages and medical bills if a fall down faulty stairs caused missed work.

Damage to Personal Belongings

If your personal belongings have been damaged or you've incurred extra expenses due to housing disrepair, you may be eligible for compensation. For instance, a burst pipe could cause water damage to your computer, or faulty windows could lead to higher heating bills.

However, compensation for these losses will not necessarily be calculated based on the cost of replacing the damaged item, but rather on the expected lifespan of the item that was reduced.

Additionally, the compensation amount will hinge on the evidence you provide for the damaged items, so it's important to keep receipts and take pictures of any defects.

General Inconveniences / Quiet Enjoyment Loss

You don't need to endure the inconvenience caused by disrepair problems in your rented property in silence. For example, if unsanitary drains or mould growth have made it impossible to use the bathroom properly or flooding has made the home uninhabitable, you may be able to seek compensation for the impact these issues have had on your ability to use the property.

Loss of quiet enjoyment refers to situations where a tenant is unable to fully enjoy their rented property due to the landlord's failure to address disrepair issues. This can include issues such as damp, leaks, or pests that make the property un-habitable or cause discomfort, as well as situations where the landlord or their agents have interfered with the tenant's use and enjoyment of the property.

In housing disrepair claims, compensation may be awarded to the tenant for the loss of quiet enjoyment experienced as a result of the landlord's negligence in maintaining the property.

How to Determine the Value of Claim for Inconvenience

To calculate the amount of compensation for inconvenience and discomfort experienced during your tenancy, the following formula is typically used:

Number of months spent living with disrepair x monthly rental amount = inconvenience compensation. For example, if your monthly rent is £500 and it took your landlord 12 months to fix the disrepair issues you reported, minus the time taken to carry out repairs (which could range from 4 to 8 weeks depending on the issue), the formula would look like this:

11 months x £500 = £5,500

To illustrate this further, suppose you rent a property with four rooms and two of those rooms have been damaged due to damp, this would be considered 50% inconvenience as half of the rooms were affected.

Using the formula, the amount of compensation payable would be £2,750. It's important to note, however, that this is only a general estimate. The specific amount of compensation awarded for housing disrepair will depend on the individual circumstances of each case.

Why Choose Housing Disrepair Experts?

If you have been living in a rented property that is in a state of disrepair, you deserve to be compensated for the inconvenience, discomfort, and financial loss that you have suffered. However, navigating the legal process of making a housing disrepair claim can be daunting and overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the legal system.

This is where housing disrepair experts come in. By working with experienced and knowledgeable housing disrepair solicitors, you can ensure that your claim is handled with care, attention to detail, and expertise. Housing disrepair solicitors can provide you with the legal guidance you need to navigate the complexities of the legal system, while ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve.

It is important to choose a housing disrepair expert who is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) specifically in housing disrepair. FCA regulation provides you with an additional layer of protection and ensures that the expert you are working with is held to a high standard of professionalism, transparency, and ethics.

By working with a regulated housing disrepair expert, you can rest assured that your claim is in good hands and that you are receiving the best possible legal advice and representation. So if you have been living in a rented property that is in a state of disrepair, don't hesitate to reach out to a housing disrepair expert today.