If you have been left with damaged property, it is important to know how to claim for housing disrepair. There are several types of housing disrepair claims, and each has its unique guidelines. You should know about them to have a better chance of recovering damages.
Legal action against social landlords
If you’re a social housing tenant, you may be interested to learn that you are allowed to sue your landlord for some of your disrepair costs. You can even offset some of your rent arrears with the damages. However, there are risks involved. The best advice is to contact your landlord before taking legal action. It’s also a good idea to seek out legal advice from a reputable firm. For example, the team at Housing Disrepair Wales have been helping clients with their legal challenges for over 30 years. They can discuss the merits of suing your landlord and your legal options with you and your family. You can even schedule a free initial consultation.
Taking legal action to enforce your rights as a tenant is not for the faint of heart, so do your homework before making a move. There is nothing worse than being ripped off by a greedy landlord. Thankfully, there are a variety of laws and regulations to protect you and your assets. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned pro, the team at Anthony Gold can guide you through the maze that is social housing. With their assistance, you can take your rights to the max.
Damages in a housing disrepair claim
If you are living in an unsafe home, you may be eligible for compensation. You can claim damages and losses caused by your landlord’s negligence. However, you should first contact a solicitor. They can help you identify the problems and advise you if you have a case.
The damage that you can claim can vary, depending on the severity of the disrepair. For example, a small patch of damp may not be considered damage. Therefore, you should keep any receipts, photographs and other evidence that you have of the damage.
Some of the most common damages that you can make a claim for include:
Damages related to personal injury. This includes illness, discomfort and pain. Compensation can also be claimed for loss of amenities. Examples of this are lost wages and medical expenses.
Your compensation for housing disrepair will be dependent on the amount of time that you were affected and the amount of pain that you experienced. For example, if you suffered a broken leg for a week, you will be entitled to a larger amount of compensation than if you had a cracked knee.
To bring a claim, you will need to show that your landlord knew about the defects or failed to fix them within a reasonable period. However, it can be difficult to prove this.
Notifying your landlord of a disrepair change
It’s always good to give your landlord a heads-up if you’ve found a defect in your rental unit. In New York City, you can also opt to file a complaint with the Housing Preservation and Development department. If your concerns are not attended to quickly, you can get a code enforcement officer to inspect your property.
The DHCR can issue a written order to direct repairs and may also reduce your rent. During the summer, your landlord may even have thirty days to make necessary repairs. A similar scenario could apply if your landlord’s furnace needs to be repaired.
Luckily, your landlord won’t force you out of your apartment. You can choose to end your lease early and find a new home. But if you do decide to stay, you’ll want to take steps to keep yourself safe and healthy. There are plenty of online resources to help you do this.
Before you start sending letters to your landlord, be sure to check out the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s brochure. Included in the guide are several sample letters and other forms of correspondence. Be sure to put your name and address on the correspondence, and keep a copy for yourself.
Regardless of whether you’re filing a complaint or simply checking the condition of your rental unit, the best time to ask for a free inspection is before the inspector comes. This gives you a chance to fix any problems before the inspector arrives.
