Your Rights as a Council or Housing Association Tenant

As a tenant in the UK, you are legally entitled to live in a safe, secure, and well-maintained home. If you're renting from the council or a housing association and have reported problems that haven't been fixed, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim.

At Home Justice Solutions, we specialise in helping tenants take action when landlords fail to uphold their responsibilities. Whether you're facing mould, damp, structural issues, or faulty electrics, we help you access free legal support and pursue compensation.

What Are My Legal Rights as a Tenant?

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, social landlords (like councils and housing associations) have a legal obligation to keep your home in good repair. This is often called the landlord’s "duty of care."

Your legal rights include the right to live in a property that is:

Free from damp, mould, or rodent infestations
Structurally sound with no loose ceilings or walls
Warm and habitable, with working heating and hot water
Safe to occupy, with functioning plumbing and electrics
Secure, with locks and windows that close properly

If your landlord fails to resolve these problems after you've reported them, they may be in breach of contract — and you may be entitled to repairs, rent refunds, and compensation.

What Should I Do If My Landlord Won’t Act?

Unfortunately, many tenants are ignored when they raise repair issues — even if those issues are dangerous or affecting their health. If this happens to you, don’t give up. You have legal options.

Here’s what you should do:

Take clear photographs of the problem areas
Send a written report to your landlord or housing officer
Keep records of communication (emails, texts, etc.)
Start a disrepair claim if they fail to act within a reasonable time

Our process is fast and simple — fill in a 60-second form online and we’ll match you with a solicitor who can help take legal action on a no-win, no-fee basis.

What Can I Claim Compensation For?

When your home is in disrepair and your landlord refuses to fix it, you may be owed compensation. This includes:

✅ Damage to your belongings (e.g. clothes, bedding, furniture)
✅ Illness or health problems caused by mould or cold
✅ Emotional distress from living in unfit conditions
✅ Rent refund for the time spent in unsafe housing

Most successful claims fall between £1,000 and £10,000+ depending on how serious the disrepair is and how long you’ve lived with it.

What If I’m Worried About Retaliation?

Some tenants worry that making a claim could get them evicted. But legally, your landlord cannot evict you for taking legal action about repairs. This is known as a “retaliatory eviction,” and it is illegal under UK housing law.

You are protected, especially if you're a secure or assured tenant. If you're unsure about your tenancy type, check with your council or see our FAQs.

Who Is Eligible to Claim?

We help tenants in council homes and housing association properties across England, Wales, and Scotland. You may be eligible if:

You rent from the council or a housing association
You have reported repairs that have not been completed
Your health, safety or comfort has been affected

We do not currently assist tenants with private landlords, but we can advise you on how to take the next steps if you're unsure who your landlord is.

How Our Service Works

Our goal is to make claiming as easy as possible. You won’t need to attend court or fill in complicated paperwork — just follow our simple online process:

Complete a 60-second form
Get matched with a regulated disrepair solicitor
Your case is handled on a no win, no fee basis
You get repairs and may receive compensation

See full details of our 4-step process here.