What Landlords Should Know About Housing Disrepair Claims
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If your property has suffered from housing disrepair, you may be eligible for compensation. If so, you may be able to claim up to £50,000 in compensation. However, if the fault is not obvious, your chances of success are slim. There are several factors to consider, including the limitation period and the type of evidence you will need. However, if your property is a classic example of poor housing, you may be able to obtain a much higher compensation amount by following the steps outlined in our guide to housing disrepair claims.
No Win No Fee Agreements
No Win No Fee Agreements for housing repair cases are an excellent option for tenants seeking compensation for a failed housing repair. Known as conditional fee agreements, no win no fee arrangements are contractual agreements between a grieved tenant and a solicitor. They state that if the solicitor is unsuccessful in winning the case, the tenant will not have to pay the solicitor any fee. In other words, no fees are paid unless the tenant receives compensation.
Limitation period
In most cases, the limitation period for bringing a housing disrepair claim is three years. This period starts from the date the injury occurred and runs until the day the landlord fulfilled his or her obligation to maintain the property. In some cases, however, the limit may be extended in exceptional circumstances. If you are unsure of whether your claim is time-barred, contact a lawyer to determine whether you have grounds for a claim.
Common issues
Managing disrepair claims is crucial to the smooth running of rental properties. Proper communication between the landlord and tenants is vital in ensuring that the disrepair claims are resolved. In addition to communicating about any outstanding repairs, landlords should keep in touch with residents about ongoing issues. Although this can be difficult to do, it is essential in limiting the number of housing disrepair claims. Here are a few common issues that landlords should be aware of.
Evidence required
Keeping evidence of visits to the property, repairs, and advice given to tenants are key to defending housing disrepair claims. If the landlord fails to respond within the timeframes required by law, it could be difficult to prove that the landlord knew of the problem or that the repairs were ineffective. Alternatively, landlords can use a telephone call log and text messages to document when the tenant complained and when the landlord completed the work.
Compensation
If you’ve suffered due to housing disrepair, you may be entitled to compensation. Housing disrepair is when your landlord has neglected to provide adequate living conditions. The damages you receive should be proportionate to the inconvenience and distress caused by the situation. In most cases, you’ll be eligible for compensation if the damage is substantial enough to prevent you from living in the property. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the type of housing disrepair and the size of the damages.