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At What Point Should You Speak to a Solicitor About Your Living Conditions?
Tenants in rental properties are often unaware of their rights in terms of the safe and comfortable condition of their home. As a result, it is common for tenants to live with disrepair issues and to feel vulnerable and anxious about reporting problems to their landlord, because they fear the repercussions and worry that they may be evicted for making a complaint. For this reason, it is important that tenants read and understand their tenancy agreement before they rent a property, but it is also important that they understand [...]
Black Mould Keeps Coming Back in My Flat â Why Cleaning It Isnât Enough
Black mould is one of the most common disrepair issues in rental properties. It can cause considerable health issues as well as being unpleasant and uncomfortable to live with. Black mould can be treated with specialist care and attention but it is important that this is done correctly, because it will often return if not treated properly. And certainly, if you leave black mould and donât report it to your landlord it can start to have considerable effects, on both your health and on the structural integrity of the property.  What is black mould? Moisture can be generated in [...]
How Awaabâs Law Is Changing Social Housing Standards: Updated Guidance for Tenants
The first phase of Awaabâs Law came into effect on 27th October 2025 and provided the framework to formalise the process of reporting and dealing with housing disrepair issues. This is a very welcome development that seeks to protect social housing tenants faced with disrepair issues which can have significant impacts in terms of their standard of living and their health and wellbeing.  The Background To Awaabâs Law A coroner concluded that two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from prolonged exposure to [...]
Supporting Our Community: Our Ongoing Commitment to Wood Street Mission
At Legal HD, giving back to our community has been part of our identity since the day our doors first opened in Manchester. From the very beginning, our team has proudly supported Wood Street Mission, a remarkable charity working to improve the lives of children and families living in poverty across Manchester and Salford. Every donation we have made over the years has come directly from our staff, reflecting the genuine care and compassion at the heart of our firm. [...]
Understanding Your Tenancy Agreement: What It Really Says About Repairs and Maintenance
For young people, moving into a first home can be very exciting and living independently for the first time can be a great adventure. But there is also a sense of responsibility that comes with that and there may also be a series of challenges you will face. Renting a property is a very common way for young people to secure affordable independence, but understanding a tenancy agreement is essential in making this a success and arming a young person with the tools to deal with issues such as repairs and [...]
Cold Homes and Rising Bills: What to Do if Disrepair Is Driving Up Your Energy Costs
For a tenant living in rented accommodation provided by a housing association, a local authority or through social housing, the cost of living crisis has hit hard. It can be challenging enough to afford the monthly rent, but the rise in energy costs has been particularly impactful as people face the daily dilemma over what to prioritise, health and comfort in your own home or one or more of the many other financial demands that you might face.  Dealing with [...]
Communal Area Disrepair in Council and Housing Association Flats: What Tenants Can Do
The law is very clear regarding a landlordâs responsibilities to provide a safe and comfortable home for their tenants, but when it comes to communal areas of a council or housing association property, many people can become confused. However, in general, the law applies much the same. Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 a landlord will be breaching a contract if a rented property is not fit for human habitation due to a disrepair issue. And in [...]
Recently Moved into Council Housing? Your First Steps if the Property Has Disrepair
The process of moving home is one of the most stressful life events we encounter, and even if you are moving into rented accommodation, rather than buying a property outright, there is a lot to think about. The financial side of it requires new arrangements and considerations, while you also need to have all your belongings packed and ready to go on a specific date. The move could be the first home of your own, or may be the first [...]
Why Summer Heat Highlights the Need for Working Windows and Proper Ventilation
Our natural inclination when warm weather hits is to open windows and let fresh air in, or to utilise ventilation systems in the home. Creating a comfortable environment in the warm summer months is essential for everyday living, but also impacts on health and sleep quality, and suitable ventilation in the home is a requirement for that. Opening a window might feel like the easiest and simplest thing to many people, but unfortunately such a straightforward option isnât always a [...]
Pregnant and Living with Mould? Special Protections Every Expectant Tenant Should Know
Mould is one of the most common causes of a housing disrepair issue and can be a very difficult thing for a tenant to live with. There are many different types of mould, such as penetrating mould and rising damp, and probably the most common way to develop mould in a rented property is through condensation. If left to get worse, mould can have a damaging effect on the structure of the property and can be very difficult to live [...]
