If you are living in a rental property that has been in disrepair for more than a certain amount of time, you may be able to claim compensation.
This can be for a number of things, including damage to your belongings or financial loss due to the disrepair. It can also cover personal injury caused by living in a poor environment such as damp, mould and flooding.
Damage to your belongings
You can claim compensation if your belongings have been damaged or destroyed as a result of housing disrepair. This can include items such as furniture, clothing and kitchen appliances.
It is important to send photographs of the damage and also keep receipts for any replacement items that have been purchased. You can then send these to your landlord as evidence of the damages.
In addition, you can claim if your health has been affected as a result of the disrepair. This can include any physical or mental injuries that you have sustained.
Your landlord should take action to resolve any disrepair issues straight away after you report them. If they fail to do so, you should contact a solicitor who will be able to help you.
Personal injury
If your landlord has neglected their repairing obligations to keep your home safe and in a good condition, you can claim compensation. You can make a personal injury claim for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of your rented property’s disrepair.
To qualify for compensation, the problem must have been reported to your landlord and they should have had time to deal with it. This could be through messages, emails or letters.
Landlords should also have a written procedure that says how long repairs should take. This may include a ‘Service Level Agreement’, and should be checked regularly.
If your landlord fails to follow the rules, they can be fined or even imprisoned. However, you should always seek legal advice from a specialist housing disrepair solicitor liverpool before taking any action.
Abatement of rent
The abatement of rent is a form of compensation that is given to a tenant in case the property they live in becomes uninhabitable because of a problem that the landlord failed to address. The tenant may be able to pay prorated or even not at all rent for the duration of the abatement period, depending on their lease agreement and how it was written.
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it is important to take accurate records of any damages on the property. This will help to prove the severity of the damage and also give you information to support your request for an abatement.
If you are negotiating your commercial real estate lease, it is best to save your request for a rent abatement until a time that is most beneficial for both parties. Otherwise, you could be forced to make concessions elsewhere in the negotiation process that is not in your best interest.
Special damages
If your landlord has failed to repair your home in a timely manner, you can claim compensation for the damage you have suffered. This can include the cost of repairs and replacements to your furniture, curtains and other belongings.
Special damages can also cover medical bills, loss of earnings and other out-of-pocket costs that result from an accident or injury. For example, if you suffer a broken ankle in a slip and fall, your lawyer can use an independent medical report to prove the severity of your injuries.
Personal injury claims are usually awarded on a percentage of your rent but this amount will depend on the severity and duration of the injury. You can also claim for ‘pain, suffering and loss of amenity’, which includes inconvenience, disturbance or distress that is caused by the damage to your home.
