If you are living in a property with damp and mould, broken heating, leaking pipes, or other unresolved repairs, you may be entitled to take legal action against your landlord — and you do not need to pay anything upfront to do so. No win no fee housing disrepair claims make it possible for tenants in social and council housing to access expert legal help without the risk of legal bills.
This guide explains exactly how no win no fee works in housing disrepair cases, who qualifies, what you can claim, and how Tenants Advice can help you.
What Is a No Win No Fee Housing Disrepair Claim?
A no win no fee agreement — formally known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) — is a legal arrangement where you only pay solicitor fees if your case is successful. If your claim does not succeed, you pay nothing.
In housing disrepair cases, this means:
- You instruct a specialist solicitor at no upfront cost
- The solicitor investigates your claim, gathers evidence, and pursues your landlord on your behalf
- If your case succeeds, the solicitor’s fee is recovered from your landlord — plus a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation (up to 25%)
- If your case fails, you owe nothing
Important: Our Fees
Tenants Advice is a claims management company. We do not charge you anything for our service. If your claim is successful, we receive a referral fee from the panel solicitor we connect you with.
Who Can Make a No Win No Fee Housing Disrepair Claim?
You may be eligible to make a no win no fee claim if you meet the following criteria:
1. You rent from a council or housing association
No win no fee housing disrepair claims apply specifically to social housing tenants — those renting from a local council or housing association. Private tenants have similar rights but may pursue claims through a different route.
2. Your landlord has been notified of the problem
Before making a claim, you must have reported the issue to your landlord in writing or by phone. Your landlord then has a ‘reasonable time’ to carry out the repairs. If they fail to act, you are entitled to seek legal help.
3. The disrepair has caused loss or harm
To qualify for compensation, the housing disrepair must have caused one or more of the following:
- Personal injury or ill health, such as respiratory illness caused by damp or mould
- Damage to your belongings
- Financial losses, such as increased heating bills due to a broken boiler
- Significant inconvenience or distress
What Types of Housing Disrepair Can You Claim For?
The following issues are commonly covered in no win no fee housing disrepair claims:
- Persistent damp and mould that your landlord has failed to treat
- Broken or non-functioning boiler or heating system
- Leaking roof, windows, or pipes
- Structural damage such as cracked walls or ceilings
- Faulty electrical wiring or dangerous light fittings
- Rodent, cockroach, or pigeon infestations not addressed by the landlord
- Rotten windows or external doors that do not close securely
- Blocked or damaged drains and sewage problems
Know Your Rights
Your landlord is legally required to keep the structure and exterior of your home in good repair, as well as installations for heating, hot water, gas, and electricity. Failure to do so within a reasonable time following written notification gives you grounds to make a claim.
How Much Compensation Could You Receive?
The amount of compensation awarded in housing disrepair claims varies depending on several factors:
- The severity and nature of the disrepair
- How long the problem has been ongoing
- The impact on your health, wellbeing, and finances
- Whether children or vulnerable adults are living in the property
Compensation can include a proportion of rent paid during the period of disrepair (known as ‘general damages’), plus additional damages for any personal injury or property loss. Successful claimants have received anything from a few hundred pounds to several thousand pounds, depending on the circumstances.
The No Win No Fee Claim Process: Step by Step
- Contact Tenants Advice — call 0800 047 2017 or complete our online form
- Our advisers assess your situation and determine whether you have a valid claim
- We refer your case to one of our panel solicitors who specialise in housing disrepair
- Your solicitor contacts your landlord and formally requests the repairs and compensation
- In many cases, landlords agree to carry out repairs and pay compensation without the need to go to court
- If settled successfully, the solicitor deducts their success fee (up to 25%) from your compensation
Cooling Off Period and Cancellation
After signing a Conditional Fee Agreement with your panel solicitor, you have a 14-day cooling off period. During this time, you can cancel at no cost. After the 14-day period, cancellation may incur legal fees — your solicitor will advise you on this before you proceed.
