Legal remedies for disrepair
Legal remedies and options for occupiers to deal with disrepair and poor housing conditions.
Last updated: 27 October 2025
Legal remedies for disrepair overview
The ways for tenants, landlords and public authorities to obtain remedies for disrepair under contract, tort, or statute.
Advice about disrepair
Security of tenure, notices given and other facts which advisers should check before advising their clients about taking action on disrepair.
Repair notice requirement
The tenant must notify the landlord that repairs are required in order for contractual repair rights to apply.
Court orders for repairs
The purpose of court proceedings by means of an order for specific performance or, for non-contractual issues, a mandatory injunction.
Disrepair remedies for private tenants
A private tenant’s options to deal with disrepair, including legal action.
Social housing tenant rights to repair
Secure and introductory local authority tenants can use a specific set of remedies for disrepair and complaint procedures.
Tenant deducts from rent or offsets rent arrears
Rights of tenants to withhold rent to pay for the cost of repairs or offset rent arrears against the damages for disrepair, and the procedure for doing so.