We will fight to get the compensation you deserve for housing disrepair.

Struggling With Black Mould? How to Claim Compensation?

Struggling with black mould inside your home?

Exposure to mould can trigger potentially fatal respiratory illnesses, and should not be a result of your housing conditions.

These can include:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma

Have You Heard of Awaab’s Law? 

Under new government proposals, dubbed “Awaab’s law”, social housing landlords in England could be forced to repair mouldy properties much more quickly.

Landlords in charge of social housing may be forced to repair below standard, mouldy properties in a swifter process than before. This is a result of new proposals put forward by the government. 

What is Black Mould?

Mould is a fungus that grows in damp, wet places. It is microscopic. Struggling with black mould can cause serious illness.

What Symptoms are Caused by Mould?

Black mould in your home significantly increases your chances of falling ill. Some of these illnesses include; allergies, asthma, and infections. The reason this happens is due to inhalation or touching of spores – resulting in a skin rash, red eyes, runny nose, or sneezing.

Further symptoms can be breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks in general.

Those at greater risk from mould are children, the elderly, and babies. Alongside these people, are those with skin issues and already known respiratory illnesses.

What Rights Do I Have as a Tenant?

It is the responsibility of all landlords both social and private to ensure living standards are maintained. This means; repairs are completed, and the property is safe. In regards to mould, it is the landlord’s responsibility to take care of a mould problem within a property, social and private rental properties.

Emergency accommodation is a right, if your property becomes uninhabitable which means you are placed in the category as homeless.

But landlords may not be responsible if there is evidence a tenant has not been ventilating the home correctly.

What Can I Do?

Housing Helplines can take away the struggle of confronting your landlord. Making a claim with us offers you a chance at improvement in your living situation. We can potentially help you if you are struggling with black mould in your home.

Health Decline Following Housing Disrepair

Recently, The Observer and Inside Housing reported on a troubling case involving a tenant named Max, 38, who developed a health decline; an incurable disease due to severe disrepair in his council-managed home. After living in his property for four years, Max developed symptoms of Sarcoidosis, a serious autoimmune disease triggered by bacteria and mould exposure. This case highlights  the importance of tenants claiming compensation for unsafe living conditions which cause health decline.

What is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease caused by exposure to bacteria and mould. It’s a serious health decline condition that can be grounds for a housing disrepair claim. If your rented accommodation is in poor condition and affecting your health, you have the right to seek legal support and claim compensation.

How Can a Housing Disrepair Claim Help Me?

Whether you’re renting privately or through social housing, landlords are legally required to carry out essential repairs. If they fail to do so, you have the right to pursue a housing disrepair claim. Legal support is available to help you fight against negligent landlords who don’t meet their duty of care.

Max’s case underscores the need for stricter consequences for landlords who neglect necessary repairs. After his health deteriorated due to the mould in his home, the disease spread to his heart and nervous system, causing severe symptoms like dry eyes, salivation issues, and coughing blood. Despite multiple letters from doctors warning the council about the health risks, no action was taken.

Is There Evidence of Health Decline from Negligent Landlords?

Max’s health decline was well-documented. In 2021, a doctor’s letter to the council highlighted the “extra risk of lung complications” posed by his living conditions. This and other medical reports emphasised the dangerous environment Max was living in, yet the council failed to act.

How Can I Claim for Housing Disrepair?

If you’re facing similar issues or health declines, Housing Helplines can help you. We specialise in Housing Disrepair Claims and work with Veritas Solicitors; experts in HDR claims. To begin the process, visit the Housing Helplines website and complete  our short checklist form. Our team will reach out to assist you soon after you submit your details.

For more information and to begin your claim, visit Housing Helplines and let us help you secure the safe living conditions you deserve.

What Do I Need to Make a Housing Disrepair Claim?

What Do I Need To Solve Housing Disrepair Problems?

Housing Disrepair Claims might be the solution you need. If you’ve reported a problem to your landlord and nothing’s been done, you don’t have to settle. At Housing Helplines, we work with Veritas Solicitors to guide you through the HDR claims process.  

Here are five key points to help you understand HDR claims better:

Eligibility Criteria

What do I need?

To make an HDR claim, you need to meet these requirements:

  • Your accommodation must be through a housing association, social housing, or local authority (not a private landlord).
  • The issue must be something the landlord is responsible for.
  • You must have given the landlord enough time to fix the problem.
  • Despite this, the problem remains unresolved.

Landlord’s Responsibility & Tenant Liability

Landlords have a legal duty to ensure your living conditions are safe and comfortable. They should fix issues caused by wear and tear or weather-related damage. However, if the damage is your fault, they’re not responsible. So, if you’ve caused the damage, you’ll need to cover the repair costs yourself and can’t file a HDR claim.

Compensation in HDR Claims

There’s no set amount for HDR compensation. If your claim is successful, you might get compensation in these ways:

  • The landlord may be ordered to make the necessary repairs.
  • Reimbursement for financial losses caused by the disrepair.
  • Compensation for damage to your belongings.
  • Compensation for health issues caused by the disrepair.
  • Compensation for the inconvenience and disruption caused by living in poor conditions.

Adequate Timelines

Your landlord needs a reasonable amount of time to fix the issue. Minor repairs should be handled in a few weeks, while major repairs might take longer. What’s “reasonable” can vary, so it’s a good idea to consult a housing disrepair solicitor to clarify.

Reviewing the Agreement

Before making a claim, check your tenancy agreement. Landlords must provide safe and habitable accommodation, but there may be exclusions in your contract. Knowing these details can prevent complications during your claim. Many tenants overlook these specifics when signing but they’re crucial when pursuing a claim.

We hope this blog helps you understand HDR claims better. Whether you’re researching or considering making a claim yourself, remember: you have the right to a safe, comfortable home. If you need assistance, Housing Helplines is here to help.