If your landlord has ignored damp, mould, leaks or broken heating, you do not have to keep living with it. Citywide Solicitors in Tooting helps council, housing association and private tenants across London get repairs done and claim the compensation they are owed.
Solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Office at 89 Bickersteth Road, London SW17 9SH.
A housing disrepair claim is a legal action a tenant brings when their landlord has been told about a problem with the property and has not fixed it within a reasonable time. The claim has two aims: to make the landlord carry out the repairs, and to compensate you for what the disrepair has cost you.
Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, most residential landlords must keep the structure and exterior of the home in repair, along with the installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 adds a further duty to keep the property fit to live in, which covers serious damp and mould. For social housing tenants in England, Awaab's Law has, since 27 October 2025, set fixed deadlines for landlords to investigate and deal with dangerous damp, mould and emergency hazards. Government health guidance on damp and mould in rented homes makes clear these are health risks landlords must take seriously.
We regularly advise tenants in Tooting, Wandsworth, Merton, Lambeth, Croydon and across London.
Legal aid is still available for some housing disrepair cases in England, but it is limited. It usually applies where the disrepair poses a serious risk of harm to the health or safety of you or your family, and the aim is to get the repairs carried out. You must also pass a means test and show your case has reasonable prospects. Claims for compensation alone are generally outside the scope of legal aid under Schedule 1 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. You can also use the government's legal aid checker.
In your free initial call we will tell you straight away whether legal aid may be available for your situation. If it is not, we will explain our fixed-fee options in writing before any work starts, so you know exactly what you will pay.
Reported the problem and still waiting? Find out in 20 minutes whether you have a claim.
Start your free enquiryClaims in England follow the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims, which is designed to settle matters without going to court wherever possible.
We listen to what has happened, check your tenancy and confirm whether your landlord was properly notified.
We help you collect photos, repair requests, emails, medical notes and receipts that prove the disrepair and its impact.
We send your landlord a formal letter setting out the defects, the repairs needed and the compensation sought. The landlord normally has 20 working days to respond.
Where needed, an independent surveyor inspects the property and produces a report on the defects and the work required.
Most cases settle with an agreed schedule of works and a compensation payment. If the landlord refuses, we can issue court proceedings on your behalf.
We are an independent South London firm, not a claims management company. You speak directly to a solicitor who knows your case, and you can visit us in person at our Tooting office. Our team also advises on family, immigration, debt and human rights law, which helps when housing problems overlap with other issues in your life.
We are rated highly by clients on Google for clear communication and quick responses, and we offer 20 minutes of free initial advice so you can decide your next step without pressure. See our fees or meet our team.
Report every problem to your landlord in writing and keep a copy. Take dated photos and videos, keep receipts for damaged items, and note any visits from your GP linked to the conditions. Allow access for inspections and repairs. Keep paying your rent: withholding it can put your tenancy at risk and weaken your claim.
For disrepair itself, you can usually claim for up to six years of disrepair. If you have suffered an injury or illness, the time limit is normally three years from when it happened or when you became aware of it. These limits come from the Limitation Act 1980. Acting early makes evidence easier to gather.
Yes. Private landlords have the same core repairing duties under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the fitness for human habitation rules. Awaab's Law does not yet apply to private renters, but you can still bring a claim.
A landlord cannot lawfully evict you just for asking for repairs, and there are legal protections against retaliatory action. We will explain the protections that apply to your tenancy.
It depends on how serious the disrepair was, how long it lasted, your rent, and any damage to your health or belongings. We give you a realistic estimate once we understand your case.
You may qualify if the disrepair poses a serious risk to your health or safety and you pass the financial means test. We will assess this for free during your first call.
The information on this page is based on current law and official guidance for England:
Legal content reviewed by Theo Mathias-Nwaulune, Managing Director, CITYWIDE Solicitors. Last reviewed September 2026.
Call us, email us or visit our Tooting office. We will tell you in plain English whether you have a claim, whether legal aid may apply, and what happens next.
This page gives general information about the law in England and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
