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Damp · mould · leaks · heating · No win, no fee

Landlord ignoring the repairs? Make them act.

If you rent from a council, housing association or private landlord and they’ve failed to fix damp, mould, leaks, broken heating or structural problems you’ve reported, you can force the repairs — and claim compensation for what you’ve lived through.

Worried about being evicted for claiming? Council and housing association tenants can’t lawfully be evicted for complaining, and private tenants have protections too — we’ll explain your position before anything is sent.
  • SRA-regulated solicitors
  • No win, no fee
  • Repairs + compensation

Start your free assessment

Step 1 of 2 · no personal details needed yet

Who is your landlord?

What’s the main issue?

Free assessment · no obligation · you pay nothing unless the claim succeeds

Awaab’s Law In force

Your landlord is now on the clock. Since 27 October 2025, social landlords in England face strict legal deadlines for damp, mould and emergency hazards — and missed deadlines strengthen your claim. From October 2026 the law extends to more hazards, including excess cold, fire and electrical risks.

  • 24 hrs — emergency hazards made safe
  • 10 working days — damp & mould investigated
  • 3 working days — written findings to you
  • 5 working days — action on significant hazards

What is a housing disrepair claim?

A housing disrepair claim is legal action against a landlord who has failed to carry out repairs they are responsible for, after being told about them and given a reasonable chance to act. Landlords are legally required to keep your home safe and fit to live in — the structure, heating, water, sanitation and freedom from serious hazards like damp and mould. A successful claim gets you two things: the repairs done, and compensation for what you’ve had to live with.

You can make a claim if your landlord has ignored repair requests or left you living in poor conditions, such as:

  • Damp & Mould
  • Blocked drains
  • Defective boiler
  • Defective brickwork
  • Defective plasterwork
  • Broken extractor fans
  • Defective windows and doors
  • Defective roofing or gutters
  • Leaks, flooding or water damage
  • Defective or dangerous electrical wiring
If your landlord has not acted within a reasonable time, you may be entitled to:
  • Free repairs
  • Compensation for inconvenience, health issues, or damage to belongings

This applies to council tenants, housing association tenants, and some private renters with long-term issues.

Start my free assessment

Do you have a claim?

Three things usually need to be true — and most tenants who contact us already have all three.

  • You reported it — by phone, email, letter, app or in person — and the landlord has had a reasonable chance to fix it.
  • They failed to act — no repair, a poor repair, or repeated inspections with nothing done.
  • It has affected you — your health, your children’s health, your belongings, or your ability to live normally in your home.
  • Any landlord type counts — council, housing association or private. The route differs slightly, but the right to a safe home does not.

How it works

1

Free assessment

Tell us what’s wrong, who your landlord is and when you reported it. We’ll tell you honestly whether you have a claim.

2

Evidence & expert inspection

We gather your reports and photos, obtain your housing file, and instruct an independent surveyor to document the disrepair properly.

3

Repairs + compensation

We put the claim to your landlord. Most settle with repairs scheduled and compensation paid — if they don’t, we take it to court for you.

What clients are saying

★★★★★

"Legal Advisor handled my housing disrepair case from start to finish. I received £4,200 in compensation and didn't pay a penny upfront."

Sarah M.
Housing Disrepair Client
★★★★★

"Professional, compassionate, and incredibly effective. My claim was settled for significantly more than I expected."

Priya K.
Personal Injury Client

FAQ

What counts as housing disrepair?
Any defect your landlord is legally responsible for that makes your home unsafe or unfit to live in — including damp and mould, leaks, broken or inadequate heating, faulty electrics, structural damage, broken windows or doors, and pest infestations caused by the disrepair.
How quickly must my landlord fix disrepair?
It depends on the severity. Emergency hazards (such as no heating in winter, major leaks or gas issues) require immediate action. Since October 2025, Awaab's Law requires social landlords to investigate damp and mould within 10 working days and act on significant hazards within 5 working days. Non-urgent issues must still be fixed within a reasonable time after being reported.
Can I claim if I'm still living in the property?
Yes — in fact this is the most common situation. You don't need to have moved out to make a claim. A successful claim forces the landlord to carry out the repairs and pays you compensation for the period you've lived with the problem.
Does it matter that I rent privately rather than from a council?
No. Private tenants, council tenants and housing association tenants all have the right to a safe, habitable home. The legal route differs slightly for private tenancies, but the right to claim compensation for unaddressed disrepair is the same.
What if my landlord ignores repair requests?
That's exactly what the claim process is for. We send a formal letter of claim on your behalf, which most landlords respond to by agreeing repairs and settling compensation. If they continue to ignore it, we issue court proceedings — and judges take a dim view of landlords who ignore formal legal notice.

What Happens After You Contact Us

  • Free initial consultation
    We listen to your situation and explain your options clearly, with no obligation.
  • Case review & evidence gathering
    We assess correspondence with your landlord, photos, and any medical or repair records.
  • We instruct on your behalf
    A dedicated solicitor formally takes on your case and contacts your landlord/housing provider.
  • Negotiation or legal action
    We pursue repairs and compensation, escalating to court only if necessary.
  • You receive your compensation
    Once resolved, compensation is processed and paid directly to you.
  • Ongoing support
    We keep you updated at every stage, so you’re never left wondering where your claim stands.

Common questions

What does it cost to use Legal Advisor?
Nothing upfront. We act on a no win, no fee basis across all our services: if the claim succeeds, our fee is an agreed percentage of your compensation, confirmed in writing before we start. If it fails, you pay us nothing. The only exception is criminal defence, where we explain all funding options — including legal aid — at your first consultation.
Will I have to go to court?
Very unlikely. The overwhelming majority of our cases settle through negotiation or formal pre-action procedures without a court hearing. We prepare every case as if it will go to court — and that preparation is usually exactly what produces a settlement. If court proceedings are ever genuinely necessary, we handle them and prepare you fully at every stage.
How long will my case take?
It varies by service and the specific facts of your case. Housing disrepair and tenancy deposit claims often resolve in weeks to a few months. Industrial deafness and criminal injury claims typically take longer due to the medical evidence required. We give you a realistic timeline at the free assessment — not a vague estimate designed to get you started.
Who will be handling my case?
Your case is handled by Malone & White Solicitors Ltd, trading as Legal Advisor — a firm authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 659436). You'll have a named point of contact throughout, and you can verify our SRA registration at any time on the SRA's public register.
What protections do I have as a client?
As a client of an SRA-regulated firm you have formal legal protections: the right to a written fee agreement before work starts, the right to complain to us first through our complaints procedure, and the right to escalate to the Legal Ombudsman if you remain unsatisfied — all at no cost to you. Our fee arrangements are always confirmed in writing before any work begins.
How do I start?
Use the form at the top of this page for a free, no-obligation assessment, or call us directly on 01204 939470. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a case, what it's likely to be worth, and what the process involves — before you commit to anything.
Start my free assessment

Our Services

A closer look at how we help.

Industrial Deafness
Military Injury Claims
Criminal Injury
Civil Litigation
Housing Disrepair
Tenancy Deposit
Undisclosed Commission Claims
Services
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