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

Struggling With Black Mould? How to Claim Compensation?

Hayley Targett on July 22, 2024

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

Hayley Targett on July 22, 2024

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?

Hayley Targett on July 22, 2024

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.

Is your rented property damp and mouldy?

marketing@sensiblegroup.com on October 19, 2023

Damp and mould can pose a serious issue for tenants. Recent news coverage has recounted harrowing stories of children suffering and dying due to the presence of damp and mould and the lack of action from landlords and management companies to deal with the problem.

Do you have any structural issues in your house

marketing@sensiblegroup.com on October 19, 2023

Do you have any structural issues in your house?
Structural issues are classed as anything impacting the structural integrity of your house. Such issues are usually caused by anything from poor build and design, or faults that have developed since the house was built. This article may help you understand and spot the signs of structural damage in your home, helping to prevent any future fundamental problems.

Indicators of structural damage:

Bulging or leaning walls
In the beginning, it may be difficult to spot bulging or leaning walls, as they appear subtle at first. In general, a prolonged period of time will pass before they become obvious to the naked eye. After a while, they may show themselves as an inward curve where walls should be straight. Observations such as this could point towards the issues with the house foundation or structural problems, and it is vital to address them as soon as possible to reduce any risks to your safety.

Floors are uneven
Settling foundation and improper construction can cause serious issues with flooring, which usually require structural engineers to assess. Other causes include wet rot, dry rot, or cracked floor joists.

Cracks
Cracks in plaster, stonework and brickwork can be difficult to understand as they can be superficial, but they could also be a serious sign of settlement issues. Settlement issues mean there’s more settling of the house on one side than the other, leading to an imbalance. Keep an eye out for any kind of cracks, (both internally and externally) as they could lead to irreparable foundation problems in the future.

Roof leaks and sagging roofs
If your roof is younger than 20 years and has a leak, it could be an indicator that the roof timbers are moving outwards. If you have a sagging roof, this could be caused by the removal of load bearing walls, mis-sized framing timbers or overloading.

Windows and doors that stick
If you find that your cupboard doors are opening on their own or your doors and windows no longer open the way they usually do, there could’ve been movement in your house that points to subsidence. These are typical signs that your foundation may need fixing.

Blistering or peeling paint
There is a chance that cracking, blistering or peeling paint is a sign of a poor paint job, but it could also mean a lot more. If you investigate the area and find mixture or water, it could be a sign of a leak which can lead to further structural damage.

If you find you have any of these signs, it could mean that you have some form of structural damage. Therefore, it is advisable to get in contact with a professional to understand how you can resolve the issue.

Do you have any leaks or water damage

marketing@sensiblegroup.com on October 19, 2023

More often than not, it can be very difficult to spot a leak in your household until it is too late. Fortunately, we’re here to help. This article will give some tips on learning how to spot the first signs of a leak and which actions to take in the event that a leak is found.

HousingHelplines is a trading style of Veritas Solicitors Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales with registration number OC332899. Veritas Solicitors are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under SRA number 472036 www.sra.org.uk