HOUSING DISREPAIR SUPPORT

Situation: Is Your Property in Disrepair?

If you're living in rented accommodation that hasn’t been properly maintained, you may have the right to take action — especially if your landlord has failed to resolve serious issues.

This includes problems like damp, mould, leaks, broken heating, electrical risks, pest infestations, or unsafe structural conditions. Landlords are legally required to keep homes safe and in good repair.

Quaerens supports tenants in both social and private housing across Europe. We work with housing professionals to help you secure repairs, recover losses, and protect your rights — often with no upfront cost.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair occurs when a property that is rented to a tenant falls below acceptable living standards due to the landlord’s failure to carry out necessary repairs.

• ✅ Damp, mould, or leaks – These issues often result from poor ventilation or broken plumbing. They can damage your belongings and pose serious health risks, especially to children, the elderly, or people with respiratory conditions.
• ✅ Broken heating or hot water systems – Landlords are legally required to provide working heating and hot water. If these systems are faulty, especially in winter, it can be both dangerous and extremely uncomfortable.
• ✅ Cracked walls, ceilings or unsafe flooring – Structural problems like cracks or unstable floors can be a sign of deeper issues and may lead to accidents or further property damage.
• ✅ Pest infestations – Infestations of rodents, cockroaches, or insects indicate the property isn’t being properly maintained. This can cause health issues and distress to tenants.
• ✅ Faulty electrical wiring or lighting – Dangerous or outdated wiring can lead to electrical shocks, power outages, or even fires. This is a critical safety hazard.
• ✅ Blocked drainage or sewage issues – When drains are blocked or toilets overflow, it creates unsanitary living conditions. This is not just unpleasant but also a serious health concern.
• ✅ Structural damage affecting safety or health – Major issues like a leaking roof, crumbling brickwork, or weakened support beams can make a home unsafe to live in and should be urgently addressed.

If you have reported these or similar issues to your landlord and they haven’t fixed them within a reasonable time, you may be legally entitled to have the repairs carried out and receive compensation for the inconvenience, health effects, or property damage suffered.

Your Rights as a Tenant

Across the EU and UK, tenants are protected by housing legislation which requires landlords to uphold certain minimum standards. These laws exist to ensure that your home is safe, healthy, and livable.

• Keep the property structurally sound and safe – This means your landlord must ensure that the building is stable and secure. Roofs, walls, ceilings, and stairs should not be at risk of collapse or present any danger to you or your family.
• Ensure essential services like heating, plumbing, and electricity are working – You have a legal right to live in a property with functioning heating (especially in cold months), running water, and safe electrical wiring. If any of these systems fail, your landlord must take action quickly.
• Carry out repairs within a reasonable time once a problem is reported – Once you've informed your landlord (preferably in writing), they are legally obliged to fix issues in a timely manner. What’s considered “reasonable” depends on the severity—for example, no heating in winter should be treated as urgent.

In the UK, these responsibilities are specifically defined by important legal frameworks, including:

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – Requires landlords to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair and to maintain installations for water, gas, electricity, heating, and sanitation.
• Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 – Gives tenants the power to take landlords to court if their rented property is not fit to live in due to hazards such as mould, damp, overcrowding, or infestation.

Similar laws exist across Europe under national housing and consumer protection rules. These ensure that all tenants, regardless of country, have the right to a home that meets basic health and safety standards. If your landlord fails to meet these obligations, you may be eligible for legal remedies and compensation.

What Support Can You Access?

If your landlord has failed to keep your home safe, secure, and properly maintained, you may be entitled to take action. Here’s what you could be eligible for:

• Essential Repairs – enforced through legal channels
  If repair requests have been ignored, courts can issue an order (called an “injunction”) requiring your landlord to carry out the work and restore the property to a liveable standard.
• Compensation for Disruption and Poor Living Conditions
  You may be able to recover financial redress for stress, inconvenience, or being unable to use parts of your home — for example, if rooms were unusable due to damp or heating failure.
• Replacement Costs for Damaged Belongings
  If mould, leaks, or structural problems ruined your furniture, clothing, electronics, or personal items, we can help you seek reimbursement for repair or replacement.
• Health-related Impacts
  If unsafe conditions — like damp or electrical faults — led to illness or made a medical condition worse, this can be included in your case. Medical documentation may support your position.

You don’t need to move out to take action. Tenants have a legal right to seek help while remaining in the property. Landlords are not allowed to evict you in retaliation for requesting repairs or asserting your rights — protections are in place to stop this.

Do You Qualify for Support?

Not sure if your housing situation meets the requirements for disrepair action? You might qualify if the following apply:

• ✅ You’ve reported problems and nothing’s been done
  If you’ve told your landlord — by phone, message, or in writing — and they’ve failed to act within a reasonable time, this can show neglect and help build your case.
• ✅ Your health or daily life is affected by the disrepair
  Issues like mould, faulty electrics, or lack of heating don’t just inconvenience you — they can harm your well-being. If your living conditions have been unsafe or stressful, you may qualify for legal support.
• ✅ You’ve been living in the property for 6+ months
  While not always required, many legal professionals prefer tenants to have at least six months of tenancy. This helps show a longer history of unresolved problems.

If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth checking. We’ll assess your situation confidentially and at no cost — and remember, your landlord can’t legally evict you for raising housing disrepair concerns.

Why Choose Quaerens?

At Quaerens, we specialise in helping tenants assert their legal rights when landlords fail to maintain safe and livable housing. Here’s why thousands trust us to handle their housing disrepair cases:

• ✅ Experienced Housing Legal Team
  Our team has deep expertise in housing disrepair matters across the UK and EU. We work with qualified legal professionals who understand how to resolve landlord disputes and secure the results tenants deserve.
• ✅ No Win, No Fee
  You don’t pay anything upfront. If we don’t succeed, you owe nothing — making the process risk-free and accessible.
• ✅ Fast Action
  We act quickly, especially when your living conditions pose health or safety risks. If needed, we help secure urgent court orders to enforce repairs.
• ✅ Compassionate Support
  You're not just a file number. We listen, explain things clearly, and keep you informed at every step — with personal, respectful service.

With Quaerens on your side, you're backed by experience, driven by results, and supported by people who care. Let us help you live safely and with dignity — starting today.

Start Your Free Assessment
We’re here to help. At Quaerens, our team will review your case, gather evidence, and pursue justice on your behalf.

👉 Upload photos of the disrepair and describe the issues in our online form

👉 Get expert legal support with zero upfront cost

👉 Take action today. You have rights – and we’re here to enforce them.