If you’ve suffered from housing disrepair, you might be entitled to claim compensation from your landlord. How much compensation you can receive will depend on how severe the illness is and how long it’s been going on. You may also be entitled to compensation for any financial losses you’ve sustained due to the disrepair. In this article, we’ll explain the common grounds for bringing a housing disrepair claim and the legal costs involved in bringing a claim.
Common grounds for housing disrepair claims
You can make a claim if your landlord fails to repair your property. Housing disrepair claims can help you get back your rent. You can also demand the landlord to pay for repairs that are required to make your home habitable. It can be difficult to find a new home these days due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors. However, there are ways to make a housing disrepair claim if your landlord refuses to do so.
Housing disrepair claims can be based on structural issues such as leaking roofs, broken windows, sewage leaks, or blocked drains. Housing disrepair claims can also relate to issues such as pests, mould, or water damage. The Environmental Health Department of your local council can help you determine if you can make a claim. They may ask you to provide photographs and a report. Make sure you keep copies of all correspondence and documentation.
Limitation period for bringing a claim
The limitation period for housing disrepair claims in birmingham is six years. However, this is different from the personal injury limitation period, which is three years. For housing disrepair claims, the time period starts when the damage is visible or the landlord fails to correct the problem. In such situations, a claimant has six years to file a lawsuit. If the problem was not immediately apparent, the claimant will have three years.
There are other rules and regulations that govern the limitation period. The rules surrounding these time limits are complicated. It is in the best interest of consumers to seek legal advice if they have questions about the timeline for filing a lawsuit. However, in some cases, a landlord can invoke the limitation period as a defence and a claimant can still file a lawsuit. For this reason, a landlord is advised to seek legal assistance to file a lawsuit.
Compensation available
When you have lived in a house that has suffered from housing disrepair, you are entitled to compensation. Depending on the severity of the disrepair, you can receive up to 100% of the rent. The compensation amount is based on pain, suffering, and loss of amenity. If you were forced to move out because of the disrepair, you can claim up to £1,500 per week.
To qualify for disrepair compensation, you must show that your landlord failed to repair the property within a specified period. If the landlord failed to make the repairs within this timeframe, you can claim compensation for the inconvenience you experienced. The compensation amount varies, depending on the extent and duration of the inconvenience. To be eligible for housing disrepair compensation, your property should have proper plumbing, heating, and drainage systems.
Legal costs of bringing a claim
As a tenant, you have the right to a safe and habitable home. However, if you feel your landlord has neglected this duty, you may need to seek legal assistance. Thankfully, there are many legal aid organisations that specialise in housing disrepair claims. You can even claim legal aid without any upfront costs. Regardless of the type of claim you make, it is important to be aware of the legal costs of housing disrepair claims.
Legal costs of housing disrepair claims are normally recoverable from Defendants who are responsible for the failure to maintain the property. These claims are often complex and difficult to manage, as they involve complex evidence and multiple experts. They can also involve complex causation challenges, which make recovery of these costs a challenge. Fortunately, many cases resolve within a few months from service of the bill. And, as with any other law suit, it is best to have a lawyer on your side to help you through the process.