Categories of Housing Disrepair: Your Rights as a Tenant
16th of May 2023
As a tenant, you should make it a priority to know your rights regarding the condition of your home. If your property falls into disrepair, it may mean you are able to take legal action to get the issues resolved. The most common way of doing this is to open a housing disrepair claim.
The first port of call is to check if the disrepair meets certain criteria. There are many eligible types of repair but the most concerning damage is known as a category 1 hazard.
But what does this mean? Let's take a closer look at the categories of housing disrepair.
There are two categories when assessing housing disrepair:
Category 1 :
These are hazards that pose a serious risk to the health or safety of the occupants of the property.
Examples of category 1 hazards include:
- Electrical hazards, such as faulty wiring or electrical appliances that pose a risk of electrocution or fire.
- Structural hazards, including serious roof leaks or subsidence that could lead to collapse.
- Damp and mould that pose a risk to health.
- Pest infestations that are a risk to health or safety. When a species that is considered a 'pest' infiltrates a location or area, whether individually or in a group. This can place those in the affected environment, and the environment itself, at increased risk of health-related problems or damage.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing a category 1 hazard, it is vital that you record and notify your landlord as soon as possible. If you’d like to read more about this, please head to another of our blog posts here. Your landlord is legally required to address these issues within a reasonable amount of time, and if they do not, you may be able to make a housing disrepair claim.
Category 2:
These are hazards that are less serious than category 1 hazards but still pose a risk to the health or safety of the occupants of the property.
Examples of category 2 hazards include:
- Cold and damp conditions that could lead to respiratory issues or exacerbate existing health problems.
- Excessive noise or vibration that could cause stress or sleep disturbance.
- Defective or inadequate heating or hot water systems that could make the property uninhabitable during the winter months.
- While category 2 hazards may not pose an immediate threat to health or safety, they can still have a significant impact on your quality of life. If your property is affected by a category 2 hazard, you should still notify your landlord or property manager and request that they address the issue.
If you relate to any of these issues listed above, please report them. Everyone has the right to live in a safe, well maintained home.
We are here to help. If you feel like you may be eligible to make a housing disrepair claim, please contact us at hello@clearhousingclaims.com or give us a call on 01743 627206