Housing Disrepair Legal Glossary
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A-Z Glossary of Legal Terms
Access for Repairs
The legal right of landlords to enter a rented property (with proper notice) to inspect or carry out necessary repairs. Tenants must allow reasonable access unless it’s an emergency.
Breach of Duty
When a landlord fails to meet their legal obligations to maintain the property, such as those under the tenancy agreement or statutory repair laws.
Cold Bridging
Occurs when parts of a building’s structure allow heat to escape, causing surfaces to cool rapidly and attract condensation. Often due to poor insulation.
Condensation Damp
Moisture caused by warm air condensing on cold surfaces. Common in poorly ventilated homes, especially social housing.
Decent Homes Standard
A minimum housing standard introduced by the UK government. Properties must be free of hazards, be in a reasonable state of repair, and have modern facilities and effective insulation.
Damages
Financial compensation awarded to tenants for harm or inconvenience caused by a landlord’s failure to carry out necessary repairs.
Disrepair Compensation
A broader term referring to any money a tenant may receive due to prolonged disrepair, including loss of amenity, stress, or illness.
Disrepair Protocol
A pre-court process that sets out how tenants and landlords should handle a disrepair complaint before legal action, including timelines and evidence sharing.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 – Section 82
A law allowing tenants to take action against landlords for statutory nuisances, such as damp or mould that affects health or comfort.
Expert Report
An independent assessment by a surveyor or building expert that identifies the disrepair and is often used as evidence in legal claims.
Habitability Standards
The legal and practical requirements a property must meet to be safe and suitable to live in, including ventilation, sanitation, and structural stability.
HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System)
A risk-based assessment method used by local authorities to identify potential hazards in rented housing.
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
An Act that empowers tenants to take legal action if their home is not fit to live in due to disrepair or hazardous conditions.
Injunctive Relief
A court order compelling a landlord to carry out repairs or stop an action that’s causing harm.
Landlord Negligence
Failure by the landlord to meet legal or contractual responsibilities in maintaining the property.
Landlord’s Repair Covenant
A clause in tenancy agreements outlining the landlord’s duty to maintain the structure, exterior, and key installations of the property.
Letter of Claim
A formal written notice sent to a landlord before legal proceedings, stating the disrepair issues, evidence, and remedy sought.
Loss of Amenity
Compensation for the tenant’s reduced use or enjoyment of their home—such as not being able to use a kitchen or bathroom—due to disrepair.
Mitigation of Loss
The tenant’s obligation to reduce the effect of disrepair where possible—for example, ventilating a damp room or reporting issues promptly.
No Win, No Fee Agreement
A legal funding arrangement where tenants pay no legal fees unless their housing disrepair claim is successful.
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM)
Scheduled maintenance performed to avoid future disrepair, such as annual boiler servicing or external painting.
Reactive Repairs
Repairs carried out in response to tenant reports, rather than scheduled maintenance.
Repair Notice
A formal notice given to a landlord detailing required repairs and a timeframe for completion—often used as a step before legal action.
Right to Repair Scheme (England)
A legal right allowing tenants of councils or some housing associations to request small urgent repairs and receive compensation if the landlord fails to carry them out on time.
Section 11 Repairs
Refers to Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which legally obliges landlords to maintain the structure, exterior, and essential installations of the property.
Statutory Nuisance
Defined under environmental law as any property condition that harms health or well-being—such as damp, mould, or infestation.
Statutory Repair Obligations
Duties imposed by law (e.g. Section 11, Fitness for Human Habitation Act) requiring landlords to keep homes safe and in good repair.
Tenant Repair Requests
Formal complaints or reports made by tenants to their landlord regarding necessary repairs or maintenance.
Tenancy Enforcement
The legal process by which tenants ensure landlords meet their housing obligations—can include court action or local authority involvement.
Urgent Disrepair
Repairs needed immediately due to risk to health or safety, such as heating failure in winter or exposed wiring.
