Introduction
As a tenant, you have the legal right to live in a safe, well-maintained home. So, what happens when your landlord refuses to carry out necessary repairs — or worse, ignores your requests completely?
Unfortunately, this is a situation many tenants across the UK face. Whether you’re living with damp and mould, broken heating, leaks, or pest infestations, a landlord’s inaction can put your health, safety, and quality of life at serious risk.
The good news is: you don’t have to tolerate it.
At Housing Disrepair Team, we specialise in helping tenants make a housing disrepair claim and receive compensation for housing disrepair. In this article, we’ll explain exactly what to do if your landlord is ignoring your repair requests — and how we can help.
Your Legal Rights as a Tenant
Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must:
- Maintain the structure and exterior of your home (including roofs, windows, doors, pipes, and walls)
- Ensure that installations for heating, water, sanitation, and electricity are working properly
- Keep the property fit for human habitation throughout your tenancy
- Act within a reasonable time after being notified of issues
If your landlord fails to meet these obligations, they are in breach of the law — and you may be entitled to a housing disrepair compensation claim.
Common Repairs Landlords Ignore
Landlords often delay or ignore problems such as:
- Damp and mould
- Water leaks
- Broken heating systems
- Faulty plumbing
- Pest infestations
- Unsafe electrics
- Cracked walls or ceilings
- Damaged windows or doors
These are not just inconveniences — they can make a property dangerous to live in. And they must be addressed urgently.
Step-by-Step: What to Do If You’re Being Ignored
1. Report the Issue in Writing
Always report repair problems to your landlord or housing provider in writing — email is best. This creates a paper trail and proves that you alerted them.
2. Give Them Reasonable Time to Respond
Landlords usually have 14 to 28 days to respond and arrange repairs. For urgent issues (e.g. no heating or active leaks), they should act within 24–48 hours.
3. Keep Records
Keep copies of your reports, photos of the disrepair, videos, and any evidence of how the issue is affecting you. This is crucial if you make a housing disrepair claim later.
4. Contact the Council’s Environmental Health Department
If the landlord still does nothing, contact your local council. They may inspect your home and issue an improvement notice.
5. Get Legal Help
If the problem continues, don’t wait. Contact Housing Disrepair Team. Our housing disrepair experts will handle everything on your behalf — from contacting your landlord to filing a legal claim for compensation.
Real Example
Tenant: A single mother in Manchester living in a housing association flat
Problem: Broken boiler in winter, mould in bedrooms
Landlord’s Response: Ignored multiple repair requests for over three months
Outcome:
- £6,400 in housing disrepair compensation
- Heating system repaired within 10 days of claim
- Legal fees covered by No Win, No Fee agreement
Our housing disrepair solicitors ensured she was compensated for the stress, discomfort, and health impacts.
What You Can Claim For
You may be eligible to make a housing disrepair claim for:
- General damages: for stress, inconvenience, and reduced quality of life
- Special damages: including replacement of damaged items, higher bills, or medical costs
- Health problems: caused or worsened by the disrepair
- Loss of use: if certain rooms were unusable (e.g., bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom)
With the help of the best housing disrepair solicitors, your claim can be tailored to reflect the full impact of the neglect.
Common Excuses Landlords Make — and Why They Don’t Matter
- “You didn’t tell us.”
→ If you have written proof, this excuse won’t hold. - “It’s not our responsibility.”
→ If it affects the structure, safety, or living conditions, it usually is. - “We’ll get to it eventually.”
→ Repairs must be done within a reasonable time.
If your landlord is making excuses, let our housing disrepair experts challenge them for you.
How Housing Disrepair Team Can Help
At Housing Disrepair Team, we make the process easy and stress-free:
✅ Free claim assessment
✅ No Win, No Fee
✅ Quick action against negligent landlords
✅ Expert support throughout the entire process
✅ Maximum compensation for your suffering and losses
We are trusted housing disrepair solicitors with a proven track record of winning claims against councils, housing associations, and private landlords.
FAQs
Q: Can I stop paying rent if my landlord won’t fix anything?
A: No. You should continue paying rent to avoid eviction. Instead, file a legal claim for disrepair.
Q: Will I get evicted for making a claim?
A: Retaliatory eviction is illegal. If your landlord tries this, we can help protect your tenancy.
Q: How much compensation can I get?
A: It depends on the severity of the disrepair, the length of time you’ve been affected, and how it has impacted your health and home life.
Final Thoughts
You shouldn’t have to fight just to live in a safe and well-maintained home. If your landlord is ignoring repair requests, you don’t have to face it alone.
With Housing Disrepair Team, you’ll have a dedicated legal team ready to make a housing disrepair claim on your behalf, hold your landlord accountable, and secure the housing disrepair compensation you deserve.
