You’ve done everything right. You’ve reported the mould, flagged the broken boiler, and chased the leaks. But the council still isn’t doing anything and now you’re stuck living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions. So, what can you do if the council is ignoring your housing disrepair?
You’ve put up with enough. Now it’s time to take action.
What Counts as Housing Disrepair?
Housing disrepair is when your rented property falls into poor condition because your landlord (in this case, the council) hasn’t carried out the repairs they’re legally responsible for. This can include:
- Mould and damp
- Leaking roofs or windows
- Faulty heating or plumbing
- Broken electrics
- Structural issues
- Pest infestations
- Unsafe flooring, stairs, or doors
If the council are not keeping your home in a safe condition, they’re breaking their legal duty.
What Can You Do When the Council Is Ignoring You?
Here’s what to do when repair requests are met with crickets:
Keep Records
Write down every time you report the issue, whether by phone, email or online portal. Take dated photos or videos showing the disrepair and keep copies of any messages you’ve sent or received.
Put it in Writing
If you haven’t already, formally write to the council with a clear description of the issues and a request for urgent repairs. Ask for a response within a reasonable time (usually 14 days).
Know Your Rights
You might be wondering if you can stop paying your rent if the council won’t fix the disrepair. It’s a common question but it can land you in more trouble than its worth.
Get Legal Advice
If you’ve done all of the above and are still being ignored, it’s time to speak to a housing disrepair solicitor. You may be able to claim compensation and force the repairs to be done through legal action.
Can You Claim Compensation?
Yes. If you’ve been stuck living in disrepair, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Illness or health issues caused by the property
- Damaged belongings (hello, mouldy mattress)
- Stress, inconvenience, and living in a home you can’t enjoy
- Extra costs (like higher heating bills)
Find out how much you could receive.
How Long Will It Take?
Every case is different, but the right solicitor can speed things up and keep you in the loop every step of the way. For a breakdown of what to expect, read our article on how long housing disrepair claims take.
When the Council Won’t Listen, We Will
We understand how frustrating and exhausting it can be to fight for basic repairs. You shouldn’t have to chase down your landlord to have a safe living condition.
That’s where we come in. At Watson Woodhouse, we help tenants across England and Wales take action when their councils wouldn’t. Contact our specialist housing disrepair team on 01642 247656, email us at disrepair@watsonwoodhouse.co.uk or use our contact form, and we will call you back.