Housing Disrepair Solicitors for Council & Housing Association Tenants

Expert Housing Disrepair Claims for Council and Housing Association Tenants

Council and housing association tenants have some of the strongest protections in UK housing law, yet many still live in unsafe, unhealthy, or neglected conditions because landlords continuously ignore repair requests or close jobs without completing the work. At Knights & Shah Solicitors, we specialise exclusively in litigation-led housing disrepair claims for social housing tenants, providing a fully comprehensive, premium service that forces landlords to comply with the law and compensates you for the harm you’ve suffered.

Your home must be safe, warm, structurally sound, and free from hazards. If your council or housing association has failed to meet this basic legal duty, you are entitled to repairs, compensation, and legal protection and our specialist team will secure it for you with precision.

Your Legal Rights as a Council or Housing Association Tenant

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, and Awaab’s Law reforms, social landlords must ensure your home is:

• Safe, healthy and fit to live in
• Free from damp, mould and condensation hazards
• Structurally sound
• Properly heated with working boilers/radiators
• Free from leaks, infestation, sewage, electrical dangers
• Well-maintained in all communal and internal areas

Failure to do so is a breach of statutory duty, and you may claim:

• Urgent and legally enforced repairs
• Financial compensation
• Costs for damaged belongings
• Health-related damages where applicable
• Legal costs
• Court orders compelling compliance

These rights apply to all social housing bodies including:

• Local councils
• Housing associations
• ALMOs
• Registered providers

We act assertively and strategically against all social landlords to restore your home and protect your health.

What Counts as Housing Disrepair?

We cover every category of disrepair affecting social housing tenants, including:

Damp, Mould & Condensation

• Black mould
• Toxic mould growth
• Damp walls, ceilings and floors
• Structural damp
• Damp-proofing failures
• Condensation caused by insulation or ventilation defects

Leaks & Water Damage

• Roof leaks
• Bathroom/kitchen leaks
• Flooding
• Water ingress during rain
• Pipework failures
• Broken guttering

Heating & Hot Water Failures

• Broken boilers
• Faulty radiators
• No heating in winter
• Persistent heating outages
• Hot water failures

Electrical Hazards

• Exposed wiring
• Dangerous sockets
• Repeated fuse tripping
• Inadequate lighting
• Unsafe installations

Structural & Safety Issues

• Cracked walls and ceilings
• Broken floors
• Unsafe staircases
• Defective windows or doors
• Missing fire doors
• Fire safety hazards

Infestations

• Rats, mice, cockroaches, fleas
• Bedbugs
• Nesting pests due to property defects

Communal Area Failures

• Broken lifts
• Unsafe stairwells
• Dangerous entry systems
• Heating failures in blocks

If the condition of your property affects your health, safety or comfort, you are legally entitled to action.

If Your Home is Unsafe or Your Landlord is Ignoring Repairs Contact Us

If you are living with damp, mould, leaks, infestations, broken heating or any unsafe condition, our team can step in immediately. We will assess your case, take over communication with your landlord, arrange expert inspections and secure both repairs and compensation.

Contact us today for a tailored legal assessment and clear guidance on your next steps.