Client wins claim for disrepair and damages
We represented a tenant from a local authority who complained of extensive disrepair. We helped our client to secure a report from a chartered surveyor detailing the defects to the property and what works were required to rectify the disrepair. The landlord failed to respond and it was necessary to issue court proceedings on an urgent basis. The Judge found the landlord liable.
The outcome:
Injunction for repairs, award of £21,782 + legal fees
Settlement reached with local authority for possession proceeding
The local authority issued possession proceedings on the grounds our client had parted with possession of the property and was not occupying the property as her only or principal home. After lengthy negotiations with the local authority, a settlement was reached whereby a suspended order for possession was made requiring our client to pay the rent, and that our client does not sublet any part of the property without seeking the permission of her landlord.
Client wins discrimination claim & relocation to suitable home
We settled a claim, pre-issue, on behalf of a mother whose children have significant disabilities, mental health conditions and learning difficulties and were in unsuitable housing. The mother had submitted a wealth of medical evidence supporting the urgent need for her children to be moved for their health and welfare, but was consistently placed in incorrect banding under the allocations policy, meaning she didn’t have enough priority to be allocated a new, suitable home. We threatened a discrimination claim and negotiated with the other side, as a result the client was placed into the top band and moved into a new home, which she and the children are very happy with, within 2 months. We also negotiated a settlement of damages for the harm caused by the extended time in unsuitable accommodation.
Client wins case to have landlord pay compensation and costs for broken intercom needed for medical reasons
The client suffered from numerous, life-threatening medical conditions. He moved into a flat in a tower block where the door entry intercom had been removed, following a fire. The landlord had told the client that the door entry intercom was an obsolete system and could not be replaced, and that they were in the process of getting a new system. This had been the response for over a year and a half.
This meant that the client was unable to open the door to the block from his flat. In this particular case that had severe consequences, as it meant that the client was unable to open the door to the block to let emergency medical services in. He suffered a number of heart attacks and was at risk of death if unable to get emergency medical attention. He was reliant on passers-by to open the door to the block to let paramedics in.
Using the disrepair pre-action protocol we wrote to the landlord and arranged an urgent expert inspection of the intercom and wiring. Following this, the landlord managed to source a new handset and repair the electrical wiring which had been damaged by a fire before our client moved in. The client now has a working intercom and is able to let the paramedics in himself when he needs urgent medical attention. The landlord also agreed to pay compensation and costs.
Solicitors successfully negotiated with landlord of noisy neighbour
Process took two months from instruction. We acted for a homeowner whose neighbour was excessively noisy. Our solicitors successfully resolved the issue by negotiating with the landlord of the neighbour, who served notice on the neighbour. Our solicitors were able to do this via mediation, which provided our client with a cost-effective alternative to entering protracted litigation. The process took two months from instruction to the notice being served.
