Defending Disrepair Claims
Legal Services for Landlords in England & Wales
If you’re a landlord and one of your tenants has brought a housing disrepair claim against you, the specialist housing disrepair lawyers here at NewBold can help you to navigate the complexities of disrepair claims and vigorously defend your case. With offices in Barry and Cwmbran, our services are available to landlords all over South Wales and beyond – please contact NewBold Solicitors to find out whether we can help you.
Get FREE Advice
We cannot provide legal advice during this initial call, but it will give us a chance to get to know you and confirm whether we can help you.
What Is a Disrepair Claim?
A disrepair claim is a legal action that can be initiated by a tenant against their landlord if the landlord has failed to keep the property in a satisfactory condition. Tenants may pursue housing disrepair claims when they believe the premises are unsafe or unsuitable for habitation.
While landlords are not obligated to improve the property beyond its existing standards, they are required to maintain it adequately. It is crucial for tenants to notify their landlord of any issues that arise; however, it can be argued that landlords should have reasonably known about these problems or that the tenant's agent informed them of the concerns.
The responsibilities of the landlord in relation to property maintenance are
largely governed by statutory regulations. Therefore, it is essential to review the terms of any lease agreement in conjunction with these regulations.
The primary acts addressing disrepair claims include:
- Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
- Defective Premises Act 1972
- Housing Act 2004
These legal frameworks outline the obligations of landlords and the rights of tenants concerning property maintenance and safety standards.
Why NewBold Solicitors?
Familiarity with courts, judges and expert surveyors
Deep statutory and case-law expertise
Up to date knowledge of damp, mould, structural issues, etc.
Ability to challenge liability, causation and duration
Early-stage risk screening
Rapid assessment of breach, notice and limitation defences
Clear ‘go / settle / fight’ advice within 48 hours
Cost control (fixed-fee or capped-fee structures available)
Skilled negotiators who can give your case a strategic edge
Tactical deployment of Part 36 offers to shift costs risk to the claimant
Guidance on HHSRS inspections, HMO licensing and damp-mould protocols Avoidance of penalty notices and rent-repayment orders
Budget-to-actual tracking and board-level reporting packs
Clear communication and frequent updates in plain English
Call us today on 0330 123 1131 | housing@newboldsolicitors.com