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If your renting from a private landlord, they responsible for repairs and maintenance. Failure to meet these duties could make you eligible to file a disrepair claim.
You may be entitled to compensation if:
If you rent from a Private Landlord, they are legally responsible for keeping your home safe, secure and in good repair. That includes fixing issues like damp, leaks, broken heating, or faulty electrics.
If your landlord has been notified of this issue and has failed to fix the issue, you may be entitled to take legal action and claim compensation.
At SDS Solicitors, we specialise in helping tenants across England take action against Private Landlords who neglect their responsibilities.
With over 25 years of legal experience and a No Win, No Fee promise, we are here to protect your rights, push for urgent repairs and help you reclaim your home and peace of mind.
Private landlords are legally responsible for making sure the homes they rent out are safe and fit to live in. This includes keeping the structure of the property in good condition and ensuring that key services are working properly.
If you’ve reported a repair issue to your landlord and they haven’t fixed it within a reasonable timeframe, they may be in breach of their legal duties under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
These laws require landlords to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair, ensure that key installations are safe and in working order, and make sure the home is free from serious hazards that could affect your health or safety.
If your landlord has failed to meet these obligations and you’ve been left living in unsafe or unsuitable conditions, you may have the right to make a housing disrepair claim. Common disrepair issues include:
Sheldon Davidson LL.B (Hons)
Managing Director
Private landlords can vary a great deal in how they manage their properties. Many take their responsibilities seriously and act quickly when problems arise. But unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
Some landlords delay repairs, ignore repeated complaints or avoid taking responsibility altogether. Unlike housing associations or councils, private landlords often don’t have a formal complaints process or a dedicated repair team. As a result, tenants are left chasing updates, dealing with poor-quality fixes and sometimes made to feel like they’re causing trouble just for speaking up.
In some cases, tenants are blamed for the damage or made to worry that reporting a problem will lead to rent increases or even eviction.
It’s important to know that your landlord is still bound by the same legal standards as any other housing provider. Under the law, they must keep your home safe and free from serious hazards. If they’ve failed to act after being notified of a problem, you may be entitled to take legal action and claim compensation.
At SDS Solicitors, we help tenants deal with these challenges every day. We’ll handle all communication with your landlord, protect your rights throughout the process, and work to get the repairs completed and the compensation you deserve, with no financial risk to you.
Living with ongoing disrepair doesn’t just affect your home, it can have a serious impact on your health, wellbeing, and day-to-day life.
Damp and mould can lead to breathing problems and worsen existing health conditions. Faulty electrics or broken heating can make your home unsafe, particularly during winter or for young children and older adults. Leaks, infestations, and structural issues can damage your belongings and leave you out of pocket.
For many private tenants, the stress of living with these issues is made worse by the feeling that no one is listening. It can be exhausting to chase updates, especially if you’re working, raising a family, or dealing with health concerns. Some tenants are even made to feel that complaining could put their tenancy at risk.
No one should have to live like this. You have the right to a safe, well-maintained home — and the law is on your side. If your landlord has failed to act, SDS Solicitors can step in to help. We’ll make sure your concerns are taken seriously, repairs are carried out, and you receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Many private tenants hesitate to take further steps when their landlord ignores repair requests, not because the disrepair isn’t serious but because they’re afraid of losing their home.
Some private landlords do attempt to end a tenancy rather than carry out the repairs they are legally responsible for. This is sometimes called a retaliatory eviction. While not all landlords behave this way, it’s a genuine concern and one we take seriously. You may be protected from eviction if:
Even if this specific protection doesn’t apply, it doesn’t mean you’re without options. It is unlawful for a landlord to evict you simply for exercising your legal right to live in a safe and habitable property.
At SDS Solicitors, we always consider the risk of eviction when handling Private Landlord Disrepair Claims. If you’ve already reported the issue and are worried about what might happen next, we’ll give you honest advice and support at every stage.
You have the right to a safe home and you shouldn’t have to choose between repairs and keeping your tenancy.
If your home has become unfit through any disrepair, you are likely eligible for compensation.
Mould is a common issue in disrepair claims.
Issues with electric systems can be dangerous.
Disrepair can attract rats, mice, and other vermin.
Broken seals and locks can be a serious security issues.
Especially in winter, boiler issues are a major problem.
Our experienced team will guide you through the claims process, ensuring that necessary repairs are carried out and you receive the compensation you deserve.
I have been very happy with all the help your staff have given me during my claim. Mr B
I have been very happy with all the help your staff have given me during my claim.
The amount you can claim depends on several factors, including how severe the disrepair is, how long it has been left unresolved, and the impact it has had on your life. This includes both the physical damage to your home and belongings, and the emotional stress or inconvenience you’ve experienced as a result. Compensation is typically awarded for:
In most cases, tenants can expect to receive between 25% and 50% of their annual rent in compensation, depending on the circumstances.
At SDS Solicitors, we’ll assess your situation carefully and fight to secure the maximum amount you’re entitled to, while also pushing to ensure all necessary repairs are completed quickly and professionally.
At SDS Solicitors, we specialise in helping tenants take action against landlords who fail to carry out essential repairs. With over 25 years of legal experience, we understand the challenges you face and we know how to get results. When you choose us, you’ll benefit from:
You shouldn’t have to fight for a safe home on your own. We’re here to make sure your landlord is held accountable and that your voice is heard.
If your Private Landlord has failed to carry out essential repairs, now is the time to take action. No tenant should have to live in unsafe or unhealthy conditions and you don’t have to handle it alone.
Established in Manchester in 1997, SDS Solicitors is a trusted law firm specialising in housing disrepair claims. We work with tenants across Greater Manchester and throughout England, helping people in towns and cities including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham, and beyond.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call our team or complete our simple online form to get started.
With SDS Solicitors, your case is in safe hands and your rights are fully protected.
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To begin a disrepair claim against a private landlord, you need to show that you reported the issue and gave your landlord time to respond. If the problem hasn’t been fixed, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team at SDS Solicitors will assess your case for free and guide you through every step of the process.
For a successful disrepair claim against a private landlord, it’s important to show that your landlord knew about the problems and failed to fix them. This means keeping a clear record of every time you reported the issue. Ideally, you should report defects in writing, such as email, text message, or letter and keep copies of everything. You should also gather:
We recommend continuing to report the problem regularly, even if you feel ignored it helps show the issue was ongoing and not resolved. If you’ve been reporting problems through a letting agent, they have a duty to pass that information to your landlord.
The more organised your evidence, the stronger your private housing disrepair claim will be and we can help you pull it all together.
It’s not uncommon for landlords to try and shift blame onto the tenant to avoid responsibility. They may claim the damage was caused by neglect or misuse of the property. But just because they say it’s your fault, doesn’t mean it is and they have to prove it.
In a housing disrepair claim against a private landlord, the burden of proof is on the landlord. We help you build a strong case using clear evidence such as photographs, dated text messages, emails, inspection reports, or environmental health notices. If you’ve been reporting the issue regularly, and especially if other tenants or professionals have noted the same problems, this can be powerful proof that the disrepair wasn’t caused by you.
This tactic is often used to intimidate or discourage tenants from taking action. But at SDS Solicitors, we know the law and we’ll protect you from being unfairly blamed. If your private landlord disrepair claim is valid, we’ll help you prove it and hold your landlord accountable.
No. If you’ve already reported the issue and your landlord hasn’t acted within a reasonable time, you are not required to keep chasing them. In many housing disrepair claims against private landlords, tenants have already made multiple attempts to get repairs done before coming to us and that’s enough.
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Sheldon Davidson
