How to get your landlord to fix damp or mould as thousands of renters live in unsafe homes
HUNDREDS of thousands of renters in England are living in damp, rotten and unsafe homes, according to new research.
While a third of landlords find it hard to keep up with changing rules and regulations, which means they don't know their legal obligations, according to Citizens Advice.
Citizens Advice is calling for a single national body to set standards for the private renting sector.
Three in five tenants (60 per cent) identified disrepair in their home in the last two years that was not caused by them and that their landlord was responsible for fixing. And one in six said that this disrepair posed a major threat to health and safety.
Gillian Guy, of Citizens Advice, said: “Too many private renters live in hazardous homes - often with potentially fatal flaws.
“Weak and confusing regulation means landlords can struggle to understand their legal obligations, while tenants find it hard to get problems in their homes resolved.
“The government must establish a national housing body to ensure landlords let property that meet legal standards and gives renters the support they need when they don’t.”
In March this year, it was revealed that renters could now take their landlords to court over problems such as damp under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act.
But Citizens Advice says renters are still unable to ensure standards are consistent, plus landlords and tenants lack the knowledge surrounding standards.
What are your rights as a renter
If you are renting privately your landlord is responsible for most major repairs to the property. This includes: the structure (walls, roof, windows); sinks, baths, toilets; pipes and wiring; heating and hot water as well as the safety of gas and electrical appliances.
According to the it is a requirement to have smoke alarms installed on every storey of a rented building and it is the landlords responsibility to check they are working.
There must also be a carbon monoxide alarm in any room using solid fuel. These alarms should be checked during annual gas safety checks.
The report found that almost one in three tenants didn't have a carbon monoxide alarm despite requiring one. This could affect around 900,000 homes, according to Citizens Advice.
You are responsible for any minor repairs such as changing a light bulb or fuses.
Before asking your landlord for damp repairs check what kind of damp it is and whether your landlord is responsible for fixing it. Citizens Advice have more guidance on this.
Also check your tenancy agreement as your landlord has to do anything that is included in the contract.
When is a home fit for habitation?
COURTS will decide whether a home is fit for human habitation by considering if the following points apply:
- the building has been neglected and is in a bad condition
- the building is unstable
- there’s a serious problem with damp
- it has an unsafe layout
- there’s not enough natural light
- there’s not enough ventilation
- there is a problem with the supply of hot and cold water
- there are problems with the drainage or the lavatories
- it’s difficult to prepare and cook food or wash up
- or any of the 29 hazards, such as problems with pests, that are set out in the
How quickly should repairs be fixed?
According to the Homes (Fit for Habitation) Act, 2018 your landlord should fix any problems in a "reasonable amount of time". This amount of time will depend on what the problem is and the severity of it.
Make sure to always notify your landlord of any problem as soon as it happens and keep a record of any recorded issues. This will help if repairs aren't fixed and court action may need to be taken.
What happens if problems are left unfixed?
It is a landlord's duty to fix any problems their tenants may have with the property.
If the problem poses a health and safety risk you can report your landlord to your local council's Environmental Health department.
An environmental health officer will assess your home and order your landlord to carry out repairs if they determine it is a risk to your health and safety.
As per the new legislation you can now take your landlord to court if problems are not resolved and repairs are not made.
You are more likely to win your case if you give as much evidence as possible.
Legal fees may apply as solicitor advice is recommended. Fees can vary upwards of £100, but if you win your case the court can order your landlord to pay legal fees, depending on their situation.
For more advice and information visit .
MORE ON RENTING
Read more on the new legislation for private renting and tenants rights.
Earlier this month we revealed that rent prices had increased all over the UK.
Also check out these other renters who found damp and want fairer terms for tenants.
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