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Posted on December 15, 2025 by SheldonDavidsonSolicitors
COMPENSATION WON
Ms. L was a private tenant who moved into a two-bedroom semi-detached house in April 2024 with her three young children. The tenancy was originally granted for 12 months and later continued without renewal documentation. From the outset, Ms. L paid her rent in full and attempted to maintain a cooperative relationship with her landlord.
Ms. L acted as a carer for one of her children and was already managing mental health difficulties. She expected the property to be safe, secure, and suitable for family life. However, serious problems began almost immediately after she moved in.
The property suffered from widespread and serious disrepair throughout the tenancy. Within days of moving in, Ms. L reported defects which were never properly resolved. These included extensive black mould affecting ceilings, walls, windows, and personal belongings, particularly in the bedrooms and bathroom.
The bathroom was in an unsafe condition, with an unsealed bath, damaged bath panels, a leaking toilet, a non-functioning radiator, exposed and sparking light fittings, and no effective ventilation. Flooring beneath the bath was unstable, and fixtures were poorly secured.
In the living areas, Ms. L experienced uneven flooring, damp patches on ceilings, defective plug sockets, and poorly sealed windows and doors that allowed significant cold ingress. The kitchen contained holes in the ceiling, missing ventilation, loose worktops, leaking radiators, and gaps left following boiler works, with insulation material falling through at times.
Externally, the property showed signs of serious neglect, including cracked roofing materials and mould growth. Ms. L also raised concerns about potentially hazardous materials and the absence of adequate external protection compared to neighbouring properties.
Despite repeated reports made via written communications, repairs were either delayed for months or carried out inadequately, leaving the underlying problems unresolved.
The condition of the property had a severe impact on Ms. L and her children. The persistent damp and mould damaged personal belongings and created an unhealthy living environment for three vulnerable minors. Ms. L felt unable to invite family members into the home due to safety concerns, and her mother avoided visiting altogether because of unstable floors and general disrepair.
The prolonged stress and lack of action significantly worsened Ms. L’s mental health. She described reaching breaking point after living for over a year in unsafe conditions, with the constant fear of further deterioration and eviction. The family experienced isolation, distress, and a loss of enjoyment of their home.
SDS Solicitors provided Ms. L with clear, compassionate guidance at a time of acute distress. The legal team carefully documented the history of the disrepair, reviewed extensive written communications, and gathered photographic and video evidence to demonstrate the scale and duration of the defects.
SDS Solicitors formally raised the landlord’s failures, setting out their legal responsibilities and the impact of the disrepair on Ms. L and her children. The firm took a proactive approach, ensuring the client was supported throughout the process and that her vulnerability and family circumstances were fully recognised.
Through SDS Solicitors’ intervention, the matter was successfully resolved. The landlord was required to address the disrepair and bring the property up to a habitable standard. A fair settlement was achieved in recognition of the prolonged inconvenience, distress, and impact on family life.
This case highlights the importance of early legal advice where landlords fail to act and demonstrates SDS Solicitors’ commitment to protecting tenants and holding landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions.
“This was a deeply concerning case involving significant disrepair and a young family living in unsafe conditions. We are pleased to have achieved a positive outcome and to have supported the client during a very difficult period.”
If you are renting privately and experiencing damp, mould, unsafe electrics, leaks, or delayed repairs, SDS Solicitors can help. The firm offers a No Win No Fee service and provides sensitive, expert support throughout the claims process.
SDS Solicitors assist clients across Manchester, including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield, as well as nationwide across England.
Contact SDS Solicitors today to speak with one of our housing disrepair solicitors and take the first step towards safer living conditions.
