Housing problems can engage different legal duties depending on the tenancy, the defect and the circumstances. Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 contains repairing obligations for relevant tenancies, while section 9A contains the fitness for human habitation covenant inserted by the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords to keep the structure and exterior of the property in good repair. This includes the roof, walls, windows, doors, and the systems that serve the property (heating, water, electrics). Separate fitness obligations apply under section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Whether damp, mould, inadequate heating or another condition makes a dwelling unfit depends on the circumstances and the statutory fitness test.
Disrepair and unfitness can overlap, but they are not identical legal tests. The nature and cause of the defect, the tenancy and the landlord's obligations all matter. Photographs, correspondence, inspection reports and records of when the landlord was notified can help establish what happened.
Report disrepair in writing. Send an email or letter to your landlord describing the problem, when you first noticed it, and any attempts you have made to get it fixed. Take photographs. Keep records of all communication. There is no universal 14-day deadline for every housing repair. The appropriate timeframe depends on the problem, its seriousness and the legal or complaints regime that applies.
If your landlord does not resolve the problem, the appropriate next step depends on who your landlord is and the nature of the issue. Options can include the landlord's complaints process, contacting the local authority where it has relevant enforcement powers, the Housing Ombudsman for complaints within its jurisdiction, or court action where the legal requirements are met.
StatutoryLetters.co.uk helps you turn your facts into structured written correspondence, identify potentially relevant legislation and state the action or response you are seeking. The generated draft should be checked against your circumstances and the procedure that applies before you send it.