Managing disrepair counterclaims during possession: tactics that still work
A disrepair counterclaim can defeat a mandatory possession claim without winning the whole case. Since 1 May 2026, for private tenancies in England, Ground 8 generally needs at least three months’ rent arrears at the date of the notice and again at the hearing, with four weeks’ notice. If a counterclaim reduces the net arrears […]
Disrepair Compensation Explained: What Tenants May Recover for Inconvenience, Damage, and Health Impact
Landlord compensation for inconvenience is usually the largest single element of a disrepair claim, calculated as a percentage reduction in the rent paid while the problem continued. On top of that, a tenant can typically recover special damages for ruined belongings and increased bills, and separately for any injury to health the condition caused. As […]
HHSRS Reform: What the Cut From 29 Hazards to 21 Means for Disrepair Claims and Landlord Enforcement
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System changed on 23 June 2026. The number of hazards fell from 29 to 21, the old A-to-J scoring bands were replaced by High, Medium and Low risk bands, and the four classes of harm are now described as Extreme, Severe, Serious and Moderate. What has not changed is […]
Housing disrepair claims under the new Renters’ Rights Act: a guide for tenants
If your landlord is ignoring damp, mould, leaks, unsafe electrics or a broken boiler, the law gives you practical routes to force repairs and claim compensation. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, and the first phase of the reforms took effect in England on 1 May 2026. The biggest […]
Housing disrepair claims in London: how the end of Section 21 empowers tenants this summer
Since Section 21 has been abolished for private rented tenancies in England from 1 May 2026, tenants have stronger security when reporting problems in their homes. If your London flat has leaks, faulty heating, unsafe electrics, serious damp and mould or conditions that make the home unfit to live in, this summer is a sensible […]
Rent Arrears Protocols: How To Chase, Document And Negotiate Before Court Action
Rent arrears are one of the most common and stressful issues a landlord can face. Whether a tenant has missed 1 payment or built up several months of debt, knowing how to respond correctly can make the difference between recovering what you are owed and ending up in a longer dispute than necessary. This guide […]
Condensation Or Disrepair? How Courts And Experts Separate Lifestyle Issues From Landlord Liability
“It’s just condensation — you need to open your windows more.” If you have reported damp or mould to your landlord and received a response like this, you are not alone. Tenants are often told that moisture problems are caused by lifestyle, but that is not always correct. In housing disrepair cases, the difference matters. […]
Homes Unfit for Habitation Claims: How Tenants Can Build a Stronger Case from Day 1
If you’re renting a home in England and you’re living with serious damp, persistent mould, a broken boiler, or structural problems that your landlord simply refuses to fix, you may have far stronger legal rights than you realise. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 gave tenants a powerful new tool to hold landlords […]
High-risk homes: prioritising vulnerable residents and medically evidenced hazards
When a home is unsafe, the condition of the property is only part of the story. What really changes the urgency is who is living there and what risk the condition poses to their health. A leaking ceiling, spreading mould, broken heating, unsafe electrics or severe cold can be serious in any property. But if […]
Temporary accommodation during major repairs: when should a landlord offer a decant?
If you are a landlord dealing with major repair works, one of the most important questions is whether your tenant can safely and reasonably stay in the property while the work is done. A decant, meaning a temporary move into alternative accommodation, is not just a practical arrangement. In the right case, it can be […]