As a tenant in the UK, you have certain rights and protections that ensure your home is safe, secure, and well-maintained. Whether you are renting from a private landlord, a housing association, or the council, understanding your rights is crucial to making sure your living conditions meet acceptable standards. Below, we’ve outlined some key areas where you, as a tenant, are entitled to compensation and legal protections.
Under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA), landlords must ensure that properties remain free from serious health hazards. If conditions worsen to the point of statutory nuisance, tenants can take legal action to compel the landlord to make repairs. To qualify as a statutory nuisance, these issues must be severe enough to impact the tenant's health, safety, or overall comfort.
Key nuisances that may fall under EPA violations include:
If these issues persist and the landlord fails to respond, tenants can issue proceedings to force repairs.
Your landlord has a legal obligation to keep the property fit for human habitation. This duty is outlined under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, which allows tenants to seek compensation if the property falls below these standards.
Common disrepair issues include:
For disrepair claims, compensation depends on the severity of the defect and how it affects daily living. For instance, broken heating in winter may qualify as an urgent repair requiring immediate action.
Landlords are legally required to protect tenants’ deposits in a government-approved scheme. This protects tenants from losing their deposit unfairly. If the landlord fails to protect the deposit, tenants may be eligible to claim thousands of pounds in compensation.
Landlord responsibilities include:
Failure to comply with these requirements allows tenants to pursue claims, potentially reclaiming up to three times the deposit amount in compensation.
Through our partnership with Elite Barristers, we pursue these claims on a no-win-no-fee basis or charge only the landlord, so tenants always remain financially protected.
For support on any of these claims, reach out to us on support@therta.co.uk.
We’ll help you understand your options and take the first steps toward a safer, fairer living environment.