If you rent from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or a housing association and you've reported problems that haven't been put right, you may be entitled to have the repairs done and claim compensation. Pick up the phone and talk it through with us.
Free, no-obligation consultation
Rick or a member of our Belfast team will call you, usually within one working day. If it's urgent, call us now on 020 4566 8517. Keep any photos of the damage and copies of messages to your landlord handy.
Landlords, including the Housing Executive and housing associations, are generally responsible for keeping the structure, exterior and essential services of your home in repair.
Black mould, rising or penetrating damp, condensation that keeps coming back.
Leaking roofs, pipes or gutters, water coming through ceilings or walls.
Broken boilers, radiators that don't work, no reliable hot water.
Faulty wiring, sockets or lighting that are unsafe or don't work.
Rotten frames, broken glazing, doors that don't close or lock.
Cracks in walls or ceilings, subsidence, collapsing plaster.
Infestations linked to disrepair, such as gaps, holes or damaged drainage.
If it makes your home unsafe or unhealthy, tell us about it.
Many people would rather talk than fill in forms. Call Rick Hill, a Partner at our Belfast office, for a free, no-obligation conversation about your home and what can be done about it.
You may have a claim if:
You don't need to have kept perfect records. Photos, texts, emails and repair reference numbers all help, but we can often request your repair history from your landlord directly.
Call us and tell us what's wrong. We'll let you know honestly whether you have a claim.
We set out the problems to your landlord formally and press for the repairs to be done.
An independent surveyor inspects your home and records the disrepair.
We aim to get the work done and secure compensation for what you've been through.
Your first consultation with us is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. We'll listen to what's been happening, tell you honestly whether we think you have a claim, and explain your options.
If you decide to go ahead, we'll explain how your claim can be funded and set out our fees clearly in writing before you agree to anything.
A housing disrepair claim is a legal claim against your landlord for failing to carry out repairs they are responsible for, after being told about the problem. A successful claim can get the repairs done and compensation for the inconvenience, damaged belongings and any effect on your health.
Your landlord is generally responsible for keeping the structure and exterior of your home in repair, and the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water. The exact duties depend on your tenancy agreement and Northern Ireland housing law, and we'll check this for you during your free consultation.
Yes. If you're a Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenant and you've reported disrepair that hasn't been put right within a reasonable time, you may be able to make a claim. The same applies to housing association tenants.
Asking for repairs your landlord is responsible for is your right. If you're worried about your tenancy, or you have rent arrears, tell us when you call and we'll talk it through with you.
It depends on how serious the problems were, how long they lasted after you reported them, and how they affected you. Compensation can cover the inconvenience, damaged belongings and any effect on your health. We'll give you a realistic view once we understand your case.
Many claims settle without going to court once the landlord responds. Urgent repairs can often be pushed forward sooner. If a claim does go to court it takes longer.
You can generally claim for disrepair going back up to six years, as long as the landlord knew about the problem during that time. If the disrepair has caused you an injury or affected your health, the time limit is usually three years, so it’s worth getting advice as early as possible.
No. Awaab's Law applies to social housing in England. Landlords in Northern Ireland still have repair obligations, and we can advise you on your rights here.
Yes. Your first consultation is free and there's no obligation to go ahead. If you decide to make a claim, we'll explain the costs in writing before you agree to anything.
You don't need perfect records. Photos, texts, emails and repair reference numbers all help, but we can often request your repair history from your landlord directly.
Call us anyway. We'll tell you whether we can help or point you somewhere that can.
Find out whether you may be entitled to make a claim. Your first consultation is free, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
