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Posted on January 21, 2026 by SheldonDavidsonSolicitors
COMPENSATION WON
Mr. L was a 72-year-old private tenant living alone in a one-bedroom ground-floor flat within a multi-storey building. He had resided at the property for approximately six years under a rolling tenancy and paid his rent consistently and in full.
Mr. L was a disabled tenant with significant physical and mental health conditions, supported by medical evidence and disability benefits. Due to his age and vulnerabilities, he relied heavily on the property being safe, accessible, and properly maintained. Unfortunately, serious disrepair issues emerged and escalated over the course of the final year of his tenancy.
The property was affected by extensive and dangerous disrepair. Mr. L was left without hot water for approximately six months after a failed and unsafe installation of a water heater. The defective works resulted in electrical wiring overheating and catching fire, requiring emergency attendance from the fire service.
Fire safety throughout the building was wholly inadequate. There were no compliant fire doors or door closers, insufficient fireproofing to ceilings and walls, and no working smoke alarms until these were installed by the fire service following the incident. These failures placed Mr. L at serious risk.
The bathroom was in an unsafe condition, with the toilet not secured to the floor. This defect caused Mr. L to fall, resulting in a head injury and shoulder trauma that required hospital treatment and ongoing physiotherapy.
Further issues included widespread mould growth to walls and ceilings, deteriorated sealant in wet areas, holes in the flooring near the kitchen creating trip hazards, and an oven that was not in working order. Insulation and fire compartmentation defects were also identified, particularly around ceilings and walls adjacent to the kitchen.
Despite intervention from environmental health officers and repeated instructions for remedial works to be completed, the landlord failed to carry out effective repairs.
The impact on Mr. L was severe. Living without hot water, in an unsafe and fire-risk property, caused significant stress, anxiety, and physical hardship. His existing health conditions were exacerbated by the cold, damp, and constant fear for his safety.
The fall caused by the insecure toilet had a lasting effect on his mobility and independence. In addition, repeated and aggressive communications from the landlord caused further distress and contributed to a decline in Mr. L’s mental wellbeing.
For a vulnerable elderly tenant, the lack of action left Mr. L feeling unsafe, unheard, and fearful in his own home.
SDS Solicitors approached the case with urgency and sensitivity, recognising Mr. L’s age, disability, and heightened vulnerability. The legal team gathered photographic evidence, extensive written correspondence, tenancy documentation, and reports from environmental health and the fire service.
SDS Solicitors clearly set out the landlord’s statutory obligations and the seriousness of the risks posed by the disrepair. The firm ensured Mr. L was supported throughout the process, providing patient and accessible guidance to accommodate his physical limitations.
As a result of SDS Solicitors’ involvement, the matter was successfully resolved. The landlord was required to address the disrepair issues, including fire safety failures, heating and hot water provision, and structural hazards, to bring the property up to a safe and habitable standard. A fair settlement was achieved to reflect the distress, inconvenience, and risk Mr. L had endured.
This case highlights the critical importance of protecting elderly and disabled tenants and enforcing landlords’ obligations to provide safe accommodation.
“This was a particularly serious case involving an elderly and vulnerable tenant living in unsafe conditions. We are pleased to have secured a positive outcome and to have ensured the client’s safety and wellbeing were prioritised.”
If you are living in a privately rented property affected by fire safety risks, lack of hot water, mould, structural hazards, or prolonged disrepair, SDS Solicitors can help. The firm offers a No Win No Fee service and provides compassionate, expert legal support.
SDS Solicitors act for clients in Manchester, including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield, and also assist tenants nationwide across England.
Contact SDS Solicitors today to speak with one of our housing disrepair solicitors and take the first step towards securing safe and dignified living conditions.
