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Housing Disrepair In Staffordshire: Know Your Rights!
Call our helpline on 0800 098 2791
Last year, our helpline supported thousands of households, including hundreds across Staffordshire in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth & Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Tenants Advice is a claims management company supporting renters across Staffordshire. While you can submit a housing disrepair claim yourself or through the Housing Ombudsman Service free of charge, we provide expert guidance to help you navigate the process effectively.
Your Landlord Responsibilities
For tenants across Staffordshire, housing disrepair is a widespread issue. When a landlord fails to keep your home safe, healthy, and liveable, they are in breach of their legal obligations. Their responsibilities include:
Repairs To Building Structure & Exterior,
Landlords are legally required to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair. This includes walls, roofs, windows, doors, gutters, and external pipes. Failure to do so can lead to damp, leaks, and unsafe living conditions.
Ensuring Essential Services Are Functional
Landlords must ensure that all gas, electrical, and heating systems are safe, working properly, and regularly maintained. This includes annual gas safety checks and ensuring tenants have access to reliable heating and hot water.
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Prevalent Housing Disrepair Problems Across Staffordshire
Many properties across Staffordshire, especially older Victorian terraces and flats, were built before modern insulation and ventilation standards. As a result, they are often more prone to issues such as rising damp, water ingress, poor maintenance, and structural problems.
If your home suffers from any of the issues listed below, you may be eligible to make a housing disrepair claim.
Rising Damp and Mould
Leaks and Water Damage
Rotten Windows and Doors
The Results We Deliver.
Dangerous, exposed light fitting
Repaired and restored bedroom wall
Replastered and repair lounge wall
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Why Choose Tenants Advice for Your Staffordshire Housing Disrepair Claim?
Dealing with housing disrepair in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent requires a team that understands the local area and is fully committed to your well-being.
At Tenants Advice, we pride ourselves on:
Expert Local Knowledge
Our team possesses a deep understanding of Sheffield, the housing landscape and common disrepair issues from in the area.
Dedicated Support
We offer empathetic and dedicated support, clearly guiding you through your claim from start to finish.
Stress-Free Process
We make, what can be a complex claims process as straightforward as possible, so you can prioritise your well-being.
Expertise & Resources
At Tenants Advice, we have a team of experts to act on your behalf, advocate for your rights, and achieve a successful resolution.
Questions We Often Hear from tenants in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for below, please contact us directly. We’re here to help!
help@tenantsadvice.co.uk
Does my tenancy agreement affect my right to claim?
Your rights as a tenant depend on your agreement. A tenancy agreement usually gives you exclusive use of the property. A license to occupy often means you’re sharing a property and have fewer rights.
Our experienced advisors can help you figure out your specific rights. Fill out our online claim form and we’ll help you establish your eligibility to make a claim.
What legal obligations does my landlord have?
Your landlord isn’t obligated to improve your property, but they are legally required to carry out repairs to keep it safe and well-maintained.
They are specifically responsible for:
- The structure and exterior of your home.
- Water pipes and all fittings, including sinks, baths, and toilets.
- Gas pipes and electrical wiring.
- Heating systems (but not cookers).
Will I be entitled to compensation?
If you have a valid claim for housing disrepair, aside from compelling the landlord to repair your property, you can also claim compensation for:
- Inconvenience caused;
- Damage to personal property;
- Personal injury or ill health resulting from the disrepair – including respiratory illness caused by damp conditions;
- Any financial losses suffered as a result of the failure to rectify the disrepair.
How much will I have to pay?
A no win, no fee agreement is a simple way of ensuring your costs are covered if you need to take legal action due to your council/housing association property being in an unliveable condition. Also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), it means that the lawyer representing you in the case will not take any payment until the end of the case.
In the event of a loss, the lawyer will take no fee and there will be no cost to the client at all.
After signing the CFA, there is a 14 day “cooling off” period during which the client may cancel at no cost. After this ’14 Day Cooling off’ period, any cancellation may incur legal fees, this is something that your panel solicitor would be able to advise you on. Our Panel of Solicitors will deduct 25% of any compensation awarded plus VAT.
If your case is successful, then the legal fees will be paid for by the client’s housing association or council. The solicitor will also take a deduction of any compensation received. We do not charge you a fee for our service, and you do not pay us any fee at any point for our service. If your claim is successful, we will be paid a fee for referring your claim to one of our panel Solicitor/Lawyer.
Call us on 0800 047 2017 to receive specialist advice on how Tenants Advice can assist you further.
How much compensation will I receive?
How much compensation you could receive depends on the specifics of your case. The amount is based on how severe the disrepair is, how long it’s been a problem, and how it has affected you.
How long will it take to process my claim?
On average, most housing disrepair cases our team handles are resolved within a matter of months. We manage the entire process for you, taking the stress out of your claim.
What do I need to do?
You need to report your housing issues to your landlord in writing or by phone. If they don’t fix the repairs within a reasonable timeframe, you can contact us. We’ll either provide free advice or take action to make your landlord carry out the repairs.
Who’s Responsible for Repairs in My Home?
For tenants in Staffordshire, your landlord is legally obligated to carry out most repairs in your home. They must ensure your property is safe, healthy, and without hazards, and maintain the Fitness for Human Habitation standards throughout your tenancy.
Landlord’s Responsibilities
Your landlord is legally responsible for most repairs in your housing. They must ensure your property is safe, healthy, and free from hazards.
Their responsibilities include repairs to:
- Electrical wiring
- Gas pipes and boilers
- Heating and hot water
- Chimneys and ventilation
- Sinks, baths, toilets, pipes, and drains.
- Common areas including entrance halls and stairways.
- The structure and exterior of the building.
Tenant’s Responsibilities
While your landlord has significant duties, as a tenant in living in Stoke / Staffordshire, you also have responsibilities. You must treat your home with care and report any issues promptly.
Your responsibilities include:
- Keeping your home reasonably clean
- Safety checks on electrical appliances you own
- Keeping gardens or outside areas in a reasonable state
- Minor maintenance such as changing light bulbs or smoke alarm batteries
Your Housing Disrepair Claim & Resolution Experts
Tenants Advice are the experts in getting housing disrepair claims resolved throughout Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
We’ll discuss your unique situation, assess your eligibility, and clearly explain how we can help you secure the repairs you need and the compensation you deserve.
Alternatively call our helpline on 0800 098 2791 or fill out our online contact form to get started.