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Council came to repair damp council house a year ago but it still has not been fixed and is now uninhabitable: I have had to move out but can I make them fix it and claim compensation?
I live in a council house which has been severely damp for years. Exactly 1 year ago the council tore out a large section of my hallway wall they then left it that way. It still isn't fixed. There is also a hole either side of a socket in my kitchen exposing the electrics. I complained several times but nothing has been done so imagine my horror when last week I was showering my kids and my foot went clean through my bathroom floor. I live in an upstairs flat it was really frightening. I went into the council told them about it and moved out of my home as it isn't safe for my kids who are aged 6,4 and 2. The youngest is disabled and has cerebral palsy. I have been living at my mum's for 5 days now having to get my son to school 15 miles away. I am a single parent so this is causing me severe financial hardship and huge inconvenience and upset yet the council still have took no steps to fix this problem. Can I take legal action against them and claim compensation?
Yes - You have a claim for Housing Disrepair which will include the full cost of repair works and also damages for the stress and inconvenience.
We can appoint a lawyer who will in turn arrange for a survey of the work to be done. You will only be able to claim for the cost of living elsewhere if the property is uninhabitable which a surveyor can assess.
Damages are likely to be £2000+ and I have asked a colleague to call you to give further free advice on what you should do next.
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