In 2024, roughly 1 in 116 people in England lived in social housing. Everyone expects their home to be safe and secure, especially when they’re renting from the Council, but what happens when it isn’t?
Housing disrepair is a serious issue that affects countless people all over the country, but you don’t need to go through it alone. At Public Interest Lawyers, we are dedicated to helping those affected by landlord negligence seek justice through council housing disrepair claims.
Essential Information
- You can claim against the council for housing disrepair if they’ve failed in their duties as a landlord
- Claims can be made for both the housing disrepair itself and any injuries you suffered due to this
- You could claim compensation for your physical and emotional injuries as well a your financial losses
- A solicitor from our panel could help you learn how to claim while working on a No Win No Fee basis
Contact Us
We are here to help. Contact our expert team today to get started by:
- Calling us on 0800 408 7825
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Jump To A Section
- How To Make Council Housing Disrepair Claims
- What Is The Average Council Payout Amount For Disrepair?
- Examples Of Housing Disrepair The Council Is Responsible For
- What Evidence Can I Gather To Support My Claim For Council Housing Disrepair?
- How Can Public Interest Lawyers Help With Council Housing Disrepair Claims?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Information
How To Make Council Housing Disrepair Claims
To make council housing disrepair claims, you’ll first need to establish that your landlord, such as the council, failed to comply with their duties as a landlord. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 sets out the obligations for all landlords, such as
- Maintain the external structures of the property, such as gutters and roofing
- Carry out repairs where necessary
- Ensure that services like gas, electricity, and hot and cold water run reliably
- Maintain sanitary features of the home, including bathtubs, showers, toilets, and sinks.
Should your landlord fail to repair the housing disrepair within a timely manner of the disrepair being reported to them, you could be eligible to claim compensation for any damage.
Can I Sue The Council For Injuries Caused By Housing Disrepair?
Yes, you can sue the council for injuries caused by housing disrepair. Under Section 4 of the Defective Premises Act 1972, those affected can make council housing disrepair claims as long as they can prove that:
- The council knew about the disrepair
- They refused to make repairs within a reasonable timeframe
- This caused you to suffer an injury or illness
For example, you may be able to claim in the following situations:
- If you reported a crack in the ceiling to the council, but they refused to make repairs. This resulted in the ceiling collapsing on you, causing a severe head injury and a concussion.
- You told the council that a step was loose on your stairway, but they did not repair it. This caused you to trip and fall, breaking your leg.
- Despite repeatedly reporting faulty wiring to the council, they insist that it is safe to use. This results in you suffering an electric shock injury.
Keep reading to learn about compensation in council housing disrepair claims, or contact our team to learn more.
What Is The Average Council Payout Amount For Disrepair?
Generally, housing disrepair compensation can be made up of two heads: General and special damages. General damages are awarded to anyone who makes a successful claim, and these cover your personal injuries, both physical and psychological.
When professionals like solicitors calculate how much compensation you could be owed, they often use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help with general damages. This is a document that contains a list of injuries and illnesses, including different severities. Every severity comes with a guideline bracket of compensation.
You can take a look at the table below for some examples of these brackets. Please keep in mind that these are only guidelines, and the first figure isn’t from the JCG.
| Injury | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries with financial losses, including lost earnings and the cost of alternative accommodation | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Minor Brain Injury | £2,690 to £15,580 |
| Serious Hand Injuries | £35,390 to £75,550 |
| Severe and Permanent Disabling Asthma | £52,550 to £80,240 |
| Chronic Asthma | £32,090 to £52,490 |
| Moderate (ii) Neck Injuries | £16,770 to £30,500 |
| Dermatitis a) | £16,770 to £23,430 |
| Less Serious Leg Injuries (ii) | £11,120 to £17,180 |
| Moderate (ii) Knee Injuries | Up to £16,770 |
Special Damages In Housing Disrepair Claims
Special damages are awarded to those who have suffered financially as a result of their injuries. For example, this could cover the cost of things like:
- Alternative accommodation
- Travel to and from necessary appointments
- Mobility aids
- Prescriptions and medical bills
- Counselling and therapy
- Lost earnings
However, it’s important to note that you’ll need evidence to claim under this heading. You can collect bank statements, wage slips, invoices and receipts to help with this.
Get in touch with a member of our team today to learn more about council housing disrepair claims, or keep reading to find out what the council is actually responsible for repairing.
Examples Of Housing Disrepair The Council Is Responsible For
As your landlord, the council is legally obligated to fix disrepair affecting:
- Walls
- Floors
- Windows
- Ceilings
- The roof
- Gas appliances, like boilers and gas hobs
- Electric appliances, like plug sockets, light fixtures, and wiring
- Common areas, like staircases and entryways into the property
- Fire safety features, including fire alarms, fire doors, and emergency exits
Any of these could cause serious injuries if they’re allowed to fall into disrepair. If you’ve been injured because the council failed in their duty of care towards you, contact our team today.
What Evidence Can I Gather To Support My Claim For Council Housing Disrepair?
One of the most important steps in the council housing disrepair claims process is collecting evidence. Every claim hinges on the evidence provided, because this is what proves that you are entitled to compensation.
For example, you could gather evidence such as:
- Correspondence with the council, including proof that they were aware of the disrepair and refused to fix it within a timely manner
- Medical records that show how you’ve been affected by the disrepair
- CCTV footage from public areas showing any disrepair
- Photographs of the disrepair or of any visible injuries
- The contact details of potential witnesses, like neighbours
Collecting evidence might seem daunting, but our panel of solicitors are here to help. If you choose to work with an expert from our panel, they can help you gather evidence to strengthen your claim. Contact us today to get started.
How Can Public Interest Lawyers Help With Council Housing Disrepair Claims?
We understand that the claims process can seem daunting, but we are here to help. At Public Interest Lawyers, we’ve already helped countless clients up and down the country secure the housing disrepair payouts they deserve, and you could be next.
Every solicitor on our expert panel works on a No Win No Fee basis, reflecting our commitment to making legal help as accessible as possible. Plus, because they work under the terms of a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), this means that you don’t pay for their work:
- Upfront
- As the claim goes on
- At all if your claim fails
In fact, you’ll only pay a success fee if you make a successful claim. Don’t worry; this fee is agreed upon before you start your claim, taken from your compensation, and is capped by law, which means you keep the majority share of what you get.
The solicitors on our panel are experts in housing disrepair claims, and can help you claim council compensation by:
- Gathering evidence and strengthening your claim
- Talking you through each step of the process
- Negotiating the settlement that you deserve
- Communicating with the defendant
- Making sure that your claim is filed within the time limit
So why wait? Find out if a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could help you by contacting our team today.
Contact Our Team
Get started now by:
- Calling us on 0800 408 7825
- Using the live chat feature
- Contacting us online
Frequently Asked Questions
Still looking for answers? Take a look at some of our FAQs.
Do I Need To Complain To The Council Before Making A Compensation Claim?
Yes, you should make a complaint before making a claim to see if the issue can be solved. You can then use this complaint as evidence should you choose to pursue compensation.
Can The Council Evict Me For Making A Disrepair Claim?
No, the council cannot legally evict you for making a disrepair claim. If they do, you could have grounds for a different kind of claim against them for taking retaliatory action.
Am I Able To Claim If I No Longer Live In The Council Property?
Yes, you can claim for a personal injury caused by housing disrepair within 3 years of the injury occurring, even if you don’t live there anymore.
Can I Make A Council Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One’s Disrepair?
Yes, you can make a claim on behalf of a loved one by acting as their litigation friend.
Will I Need To Use My Compensation To Pay For The Repairs?
No, the repairs should be taken care of by the council.
More Information
For more helpful guides:
- Learn how to sue the council for uneven pavements
- Find out how to make a council data breach claim
- Get help making a public liability claim
Or, to find further resources:
- Learn about first aid from the NHS
- Find out more about council housing
- Make a complaint to the housing ombudsman
Thank you for reading our guide to council housing disrepair claims.