How long does a housing disrepair claim take?

Housing disrepair claims aren’t just about quick compensation—they’re about proving what’s wrong, holding the landlord accountable, and making sure your home gets repaired. That process involves several moving parts:

Landlord delays: Sadly, many landlords don’t act until legal pressure is applied. If they ignore letters or push back, it slows the process down.
Evidence gathering: Strong evidence makes or breaks a claim. This means surveyor reports, photos, videos, and sometimes medical records if your health has suffered.
Complexity of issues: Fixing a broken boiler is very different from proving years of structural damp. Bigger issues require more investigation.
Court involvement: If your landlord refuses to settle, your solicitor will take the case to court, which can add months.

A Typical Timeline for a Housing Disrepair Claim

While every case is unique, here’s how most claims move forward:

Reporting the problem – You notify your landlord in writing. This is your starting point.
Letter of claim – Your solicitor sends a formal letter, giving your landlord 20 working days to reply.
Inspection – An independent surveyor visits your home and creates a report. This is crucial evidence.
Negotiation – If your landlord accepts responsibility, repairs and compensation can be agreed quickly.
Court proceedings (if necessary) – If the landlord refuses to act, the case may go before a judge.

For straightforward cases, repairs may be underway within a few months. For disputed cases, you should expect the full process to take closer to 12–18 months.

What This Means for You as a Tenant

We understand the hardest part is not the paperwork—it’s living with the disrepair while you wait. Every extra month can feel unbearable if you’re dealing with mould, leaks, or heating problems. That’s why we work to push cases forward as quickly as possible.

During this time, you can also claim compensation. Typically, this is calculated as a percentage of your rent for the period your home was in disrepair. For example:

Minor issues: Around 10–25% of rent back.
Serious or long-term issues: 25–50% of rent back.
Uninhabitable conditions: Potentially more.

This compensation is recognition of what you’ve had to put up with—not just inconvenience, but often real hardship.

Why Specialist Support Matters

Trying to handle a housing disrepair claim on your own can be frustrating. Landlords may ignore you, delay repairs, or deny responsibility altogether. A specialist solicitor not only takes that pressure off your shoulders but also ensures your claim is backed by the right evidence.

At Disrepair Claims, we’ve worked with tenants across the UK who thought they’d never get their homes fixed. With the right approach, we’ve helped secure urgent repairs, financial compensation, and peace of mind.

Take the First Step

If you’re struggling in a property that isn’t safe or liveable, don’t wait. The sooner you start your claim, the sooner repairs can be carried out and compensation secured.

We offer a no win, no fee service—so you don’t pay a penny unless your case succeeds.

Contact us today for free advice and find out how long your housing disrepair claim could take in your specific situation.

This version blends empathy, practical guidance, and trust-building, so tenants feel understood and supported.

Contact us today if you still need more help!