If you're a council or housing association tenant, you're living with disrepair, and you've already reported it to your landlord, you may be eligible to make a housing disrepair claim.

Yes. Your landlord needs to be told about the problem — and given a reasonable chance to fix it — before you can take formal action. That's why it's important to report repairs and keep proof of when you did.

No. All of the housing disrepair claims we handle are on a no win, no fee basis, so there's nothing to pay upfront.

A "no win, no fee" arrangement is a label often used for a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). It's designed to help people pursue a claim without paying upfront legal fees, making legal action more affordable and reducing financial risk if the claim does not succeed.

If you win

• Basic legal costs: if your claim succeeds, we will usually seek to recover our basic legal costs and certain expenses from your landlord.
• Success fee: under a CFA, a success fee is an additional fee payable if you win. We will explain exactly how it is calculated, whether VAT applies, and what (if anything) would be deducted from your compensation before you sign.
• After The Event (ATE) insurance: often used alongside no win, no fee agreements to protect you from certain costs if the claim fails. There is no upfront payment for ATE. If you win, the premium is deducted from your compensation.

If you lose

• No basic legal fees — as long as you cooperate fully with the legal process and provide honest and accurate information.
• Other costs: even in no win, no fee cases, clients can sometimes be asked to pay other costs, such as disbursements (e.g. expert reports) or insurance-related charges, depending on the agreement and what happens during the claim. We will clearly explain any situation where you could be liable for costs before you sign.

About ATE insurance

ATE insurance is intended to cover certain expenses incurred during the case and protect you from liability for your landlord's legal costs if the claim is unsuccessful (subject to the policy terms). No upfront premium is required — if you win, the premium is deducted from your compensation; if you lose, you do not pay the premium (subject to the policy terms).

• Underwriter: Financial & Legal Insurance Company Limited (FCA/PRA firm reference 202915).
• Indemnity limit: £25,000 (suitable for many housing disrepair cases, subject to policy terms).
• Staged premiums: Pre-Issue: £280 + 12% Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) = £313.60. Post-Issue: £350 + 12% IPT = £392.00.

Exact cover and premiums depend on the policy offered for your case — you will receive full written details.

When ATE cover may not apply (and you could be liable)

ATE policies commonly exclude cover if you, for example: withdraw from the claim against legal advice; fail to provide required instructions or cooperation; or act dishonestly. In those situations, you may be personally responsible for costs such as disbursements incurred on your behalf and/or our legal costs and your landlord's legal costs.

Cancelling your agreement or ending the claim early

You usually have a cooling-off period (often 14 days). If you choose to stop after the cooling-off period, you may be charged a cancellation/termination fee for work done and/or certain costs already incurred — these can sometimes be substantial. Any termination charges will be explained clearly at the outset and will be reasonable and linked to work actually carried out.

More information

We will provide further details of the CFA terms (including any success fee and VAT position), what deductions (if any) may be taken from compensation, and the ATE insurance policy terms, exclusions and premium — in writing and before you sign, so you can make an informed decision.

For independent guidance, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) explains how no win, no fee arrangements work and the questions you should ask before agreeing to one.

The claim process can take anywhere from a few weeks to up to 12 months, depending on your landlord. We push your landlord to start repairs as soon as we make initial contact — there will be no delays on our side.

The amount depends on a number of factors, including the rent you pay, the severity of the issue, how long it has lasted, and how it has affected your health and wellbeing.

Yes — you should continue to pay your rent in full. If you stop paying, your landlord could make a counterclaim against you for breaching your tenancy agreement.

Yes — tenants need to allow reasonable access for inspection and works (with reasonable notice, except in emergencies). Refusing access can delay repairs and the claim process.

No — there are laws that protect tenants from eviction for making a housing disrepair claim against their landlord.

No — you must be living in the property throughout the duration of your claim.

Approximately 95% of our claims are resolved out of court through negotiation. If necessary, our experienced solicitors are fully prepared to take your case to court.