Housing Disrepair Claims

Housing disrepair claims for council and housing association tenants

Housing Disrepair Claims is a legal service aimed at tenants of councils and housing associations who report outstanding repairs to their landlord and want to pursue both the works and compensation. The firm presents itself as acting through SRA-regulated solicitors and states that it has helped more than 200,000 clients since 1984. Its own figures cite over £100,000,000 in compensation won for clients and more than £15,000,000 in repairs completed as a result of its involvement.

The service is built around a no win, no fee arrangement, described on the site as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). No upfront payment is requested, and the firm states that it only charges if the claim succeeds.

Legal basis invoked for a claim

The site grounds the claims in two pieces of legislation. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 obliges landlords to repair the structure and exterior of the property and to maintain key installations such as heating, water, gas and electrics. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires the home to be fit to live in, covering problems such as damp and mould, leaks and other issues affecting health and daily life.

According to the firm, a tenant may claim when repairs have been reported to the landlord and remain unresolved beyond a reasonable timeframe.

Eligibility criteria

The site sets out three conditions for a claim: renting from a council or housing association, having informed the landlord of the issues, and the repairs still being outstanding. Meeting all three is presented as the basis for eligibility.

How a claim is handled

The process is described in five stages:

• Completion of an online form with the tenant's details, used to confirm eligibility and understand the situation before contact.
• Evidence gathering, typically photographs or videos of the disrepair and messages sent to the landlord notifying the issues.
• An inspection by an independent agent to assess the disrepair, record the repairs needed, note severity and possible causes, and consider the impact on health or living conditions.
• A formal Letter of Claim sent by the appointed solicitor to the landlord, setting out the problems, the history of reporting and what is sought in repairs and compensation.
• Once liability is accepted, pressure on the landlord to complete repairs within an agreed timeframe, alongside negotiation of compensation.

The firm states that the process can take from a few weeks to up to 12 months, and possibly longer depending on the landlord, and that it pushes for repairs to start as soon as initial contact is made.

Costs under the no win, no fee agreement

The site explains the fee structure in detail. If the claim succeeds, the firm usually seeks to recover basic legal costs and certain expenses from the landlord. A success fee applies under the CFA, and the firm states it explains how it is calculated, whether VAT applies and what may be deducted from compensation before the client signs.

After the Event (ATE) insurance is used alongside the agreement. The underwriter named is Financial & Legal Insurance Company Limited (FCA/PRA firm reference 202915), with an indemnity limit of £25,000. Staged premiums are quoted: £280 plus 12% Insurance Premium Tax (£313.60) pre-issue, and £350 plus 12% IPT (£392.00) post-issue. No upfront premium is required; if the claim wins the premium is deducted from compensation, and if it loses the premium is not paid, subject to policy terms.

If the claim does not succeed, the firm states that basic legal fees are not charged provided the client cooperates fully and gives honest and accurate information. It also warns that other costs, such as disbursements for expert reports or insurance-related charges, can sometimes be payable depending on the agreement and the course of the claim. ATE cover may not apply where a client withdraws against legal advice, fails to provide instructions or cooperation, or acts dishonestly, in which case the client may be personally liable for disbursements and legal costs.

A cooling-off period, often 14 days, is mentioned. Stopping after that period may trigger a cancellation or termination fee for work done and costs already incurred, which the firm says can sometimes be substantial and will be explained at the outset.

Solicitor route versus the Housing Ombudsman

The site notes that a complaint can be pursued free of charge through the Housing Ombudsman Scheme, but that the firm cannot assist with that route. It argues that instructing a solicitor provides advice from the outset, an assessment of the claim and likely compensation and timescales, and the ability to take legal action and enforce an agreement or court order. It also points out that the Ombudsman process can take many months and lacks the court's enforcement powers, and that tenants are generally required to exhaust the landlord's internal complaints procedure before referring a matter to the Ombudsman.

Client feedback cited on the site

The site displays a rating of 4.8 average from 3,464 reviews on REVIEWS.io and states that 96% of clients recommend the firm. It also refers to more than 2,000 five-star reviews. Individual testimonials describe cases involving damp and mould resolved within weeks, a dispute with a council and a case handled by Hodari Solicitors.