How Housing Disrepair Affects Your Health

When people think about housing disrepair, they often picture broken doors, leaking roofs, or faulty heating. But poor living conditions aren’t just inconvenient — they can have a serious and lasting impact on your health.

If your health has suffered due to your landlord’s neglect, you may be entitled to a housing disrepair compensation claim that’s higher than usual. That’s because UK law recognises that tenants should be compensated not just for inconvenience, but also for personal injury and illness caused by poor housing conditions.

At Housing Disrepair Claims, we’re housing disrepair experts who specialise in cases where health problems are part of the claim. In this article, we’ll explain the health risks of disrepair, the legal rights you have, and how to make a housing disrepair claim that fully accounts for your losses.

Common Types of Disrepair That Harm Health

Not every repair issue is simply a matter of aesthetics or comfort. Some can cause real, measurable damage to your physical and mental wellbeing.

1. Damp and Mould

Can trigger asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections.
Especially harmful to children, elderly people, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Linked to long-term lung damage if exposure is prolonged.

2. Broken Heating Systems

Increases the risk of hypothermia in winter.
Worsens conditions like arthritis and chronic pain.
Can lead to mental health strain from constant discomfort.

3. Pest Infestations

Rodents can spread diseases such as salmonella and hantavirus.
Insects like bedbugs cause painful bites and skin irritation.
Cockroaches are known to worsen asthma symptoms.

4. Water Leaks

Can cause structural damage that makes a home unsafe.
Often lead to damp and mould growth.
May damage electrical systems, creating fire risks.

5. Unsafe Electrics

Can cause serious injury or death from electric shocks or fires.

Your Legal Rights When Health is Affected

Landlords in the UK have a legal duty under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 to keep the property safe and free from hazards that could harm your health.

If you’ve reported issues and your landlord has failed to act, they could be liable for:

The cost of repairs.
Compensation for inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of your home.
Additional compensation for personal injury or health problems.

This is where housing disrepair solicitors come in — they know exactly how to include both the disrepair and the health effects in one powerful compensation claim for housing disrepair.

Why Health Problems Can Increase Your Claim Value

A standard housing disrepair claim covers inconvenience, loss of enjoyment, and sometimes damage to belongings. But when your health is affected, the claim can also include:

Medical expenses (GP visits, prescriptions, hospital trips).
Loss of earnings if illness has prevented you from working.
Pain and suffering damages for physical or mental harm.
Future care costs if long-term health effects are expected.

This often results in significantly higher payouts — sometimes thousands of pounds more than a non-health-related claim.

Evidence You’ll Need to Prove Health Impact

The stronger your evidence, the better your chances of winning maximum compensation. Our housing disrepair experts recommend gathering:

Medical records linking your symptoms to the disrepair.
GP or specialist letters stating that your condition was caused or worsened by the property’s condition.
Photos/videos of the disrepair over time.
Diary entries noting how the problem affected daily life.

When you work with Housing Disrepair Claims, we help arrange medical assessments and independent property inspections to support your case.

Step-by-Step: Making a Health-Related Housing Disrepair Claim

1. Report the Problem to Your Landlord

Do this in writing and keep a copy. State that the issue is affecting your health and ask for urgent repairs.

2. Seek Medical Attention

Even if symptoms seem minor, visit your GP. This creates an official record.

3. Contact Housing Disrepair Claims

We’ll arrange for the best housing disrepair solicitors to review your case, gather evidence, and begin the claims process.

4. Independent Survey

Your solicitor will send a qualified surveyor to assess the property and confirm that the disrepair is likely to cause health issues.

5. Claim Submission

The claim will cover:

Cost of repairs.
General inconvenience.
Specific medical and financial losses.

6. Settlement or Court

Many cases settle out of court. If needed, your solicitor will take the case to court to secure a fair outcome.

Time Limits for Health-Related Claims

The standard time limit for housing disrepair claims is six years. However, when claiming for personal injury, you have just three years from the date you became aware of the health impact.

This is why it’s essential to act quickly and contact Housing Disrepair Claims as soon as possible.

Why Choose Housing Disrepair Claims for Health Cases?

Health-related disrepair cases are more complex than standard ones. You need:

Housing disrepair experts who understand the medical and legal sides of your case.
Access to the best housing disrepair solicitors who regularly win large settlements for health claims.
A no win, no fee arrangement so there’s no financial risk to you.

We’ve helped tenants across the UK win housing disrepair compensation claims worth thousands of pounds — including for severe mould exposure, long-term heating failures, and dangerous electrical faults.

Real Example: Mould and Asthma Case

One of our clients lived in a property with black mould for over two years. The landlord ignored repeated requests for repairs. Her asthma worsened to the point she needed regular inhaler use and time off work.

With our help, she received:

Full repairs to her property.
£8,750 in housing disrepair compensation for inconvenience, medical expenses, and loss of earnings.

The Bottom Line — Your Health Matters

Your home should be a safe space, not a source of illness or stress. If your health has suffered because your landlord failed to carry out repairs, you have the right to claim.

Housing Disrepair Claims can:

Prove the link between your health problems and the disrepair.
Secure urgent repairs.
Win you the maximum possible compensation for both inconvenience and injury.

📞 Call Housing Disrepair Claims today for a free assessment of your housing disrepair and health-related claim.