Whether you’re looking to settle a dispute with your landlord or are seeking compensation for damage to your property, it’s important to hire a qualified housing disrepair solicitor. This will help you to avoid any unnecessary complications or delays in the claim process, as well as make sure you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Evidence of your claim
Taking legal action against your landlord for housing disrepair can be an easy way to obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. However, you need to prove that your landlord was aware of the problems and did not fix them within a reasonable time.
It’s important to keep your records of repairs and complaints. You should also retain photographs and visual evidence of any damage. If possible, make copies of any correspondence.
Taking a medical report can help you to prove that your health was harmed because of your landlord’s negligence. The report should state the illness, the treatment you received, and the extent of your injury.
Obtaining medical reports can be a legal obligation if you are living in a social house or privately rented property. You can request them at any time.
You should also gather photographic evidence of your housing disrepair claim. This could include mould, dampness, and physical damage to your personal belongings. If you want to check how much compensation you get in case if you win the claim case use the housing disrepair calculator.
Cost of hiring a solicitor
Buying a home can be a daunting task. Luckily, there are plenty of services on hand to make the process go a little smoother. For instance, you can get a housing repair solicitor to carry out minor repairs and improvements for a fee. These fees can range from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand, depending on the complexity of the job. It’s not always easy to know which firm to go with, so it’s a good idea to do some legwork. The most obvious place to look is your local registrar of deeds, but you might also try a mortgage broker or an Independent Financial Advisor.
It’s not unusual for a housing repair solicitor to charge you a few hundred pounds to carry out minor repairs and improvements on your new home. Similarly, you may be required to pay for stamp duty, which is a tax on the purchase of a residential property. While this is a pain, you should know that there are a few tax-relief schemes in play. It’s a good idea to find out if you qualify before you commit to a property purchase.
Dealing with the county court
Taking your landlord to court can be an expensive and lengthy affair. It is therefore important to do your research before deciding whether to sue or not. A qualified housing disrepair solicitor can advise you on the best course of action. You should also be aware of the most efficient ways to bring your landlord to book.
A good tip is to ask your solicitor if you can be offered legal aid for your case. This can help to pay for expert reports, such as a surveyor’s report, which is essential to proving your case. There is a fee to cover this, which is dependent on the size of the claim.
If you are still not convinced, you can take your housing disrepair claim to the county court. You will have to comply with a special procedure to do this, but it is well worth the effort. The court may award you compensation for your losses.
Making the claim
Having a housing disrepair solicitor on your side can help you get the compensation you deserve. In addition to paying out for damages, a claim can cover injuries, pain and inconvenience.
If you have suffered from mould, dampness, broken furniture, damaged curtains or bedding, you may be able to make a compensation claim. You should also keep evidence of any damage, including photographs.
Before you can make a claim, you must first send a letter of claim to your landlord. Your letter should contain the details of the property you are renting. You must also explain the history of the problem and nominate a qualified surveyor. You must also include a draft letter of instruction. The landlord must be given at least 21 days to respond to your complaint.
If you do not receive a satisfactory response from your landlord, you can then consider applying for court action. You must pay the court fee and the landlord must provide an answer to your complaint within 20 working days.