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Compensation for Housing Disrepair Claims

Defective Brickwork

 What you need to know 

  • One in 10 social housing tenants live in homes classified as 'non-decent', which fall short of the minimum legal standards.

  • Housing associations and councils are responsible for ensuring their properties are safe, secure, and structurally sound. If your landlord has failed to fix significant issues with defective brickwork in your home, you may be entitled to claim compensation and insist that proper repairs are carried out.

  • We can connect you with specialist housing disrepair solicitors who can help you claim the compensation you are owed. No-win, no-fee.

Find out if you're eligible to claim against your housing association or local authority for defective brickwork.

Based on the past 6 months' average settlement, the average compensation claim is worth £1,895 – start yours today!

Defective brickwork in social housing properties

Defective brickwork can refer to any damage, deterioration, or poor workmanship in the brick walls or structures of a building that affects its safety, stability, insulation, or appearance. 

Housing association and local authority landlords are responsible for addressing these types of issues, and failure to do so can have both legal and maintenance implications for both tenants and landlords.

Defective brickwork can mean:

  • Cracked bricks or mortar joints caused by structural movement, frost damage, or poor materials
  • Bulging or bowing walls that appear to curve outwards; this is often a sign of structural failure or water damage
  • Poor pointing or cracking between bricks, leading to instability and allowing water to seep in
  • Subsidence-related cracks which are usually large or zigzag cracks caused by shifting foundations
  • Improper repairs or mismatched bricks which can affect both the performance and the general aesthetic of the building

If you have raised a complaint about defective brickwork to your housing association or local authority landlord and the issue has not been rectified, we can help you claim compensation and get the problem fixed. 

Compensation claims for defective brickwork

Housing association and local authority landlords have legal responsibilities to maintain the exterior and interior of their rental properties, including repairing any defective brickwork. They must provide tenants with a safe, healthy, well-maintained home and respond to complaints of disrepair in a reasonable timeframe. 

Landlords are governed by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which requires them to maintain the "structure and exterior" of their properties, including brickwork, external walls, foundations, and load-bearing walls. 

If you are a social housing tenant who has reported problems with defective brickwork to your landlord and has either been ignored or had a sub-standard resolution to the issue, you may be able to claim compensation. 

At Premier Legal Assist, we partner with experienced housing solicitors who have handled numerous similar cases and will treat your claim with the importance it deserves. They can push for repairs and secure appropriate compensation, where eligible, on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. 

Start your claim with Premier Legal Assist

Our experienced team understand how frustrating and stressful it can be to live in a home affected by defective brickwork, especially if your complaints to your landlord have been repeatedly ignored. No one should have to live in substandard conditions.

We are here to support you by standing up for your rights and securing the safe, well-maintained home you’re entitled to.

Working alongside experienced legal professionals who specialise in housing disrepair, we’ll ensure your case is taken seriously and managed with care and urgency. And where possible, we’ll help you pursue any compensation you may be entitled to for the inconvenience and disruption caused.

FAQs

Absolutely. If you're living in a council or housing association home, your landlord has a legal responsibility to maintain the exterior of the property in good condition, including the brickwork. 

If you've reported issues such as loose, damaged, water ingress or deteriorating bricks and your landlord has failed to act within a reasonable timeframe, you may be entitled to seek repairs and even claim compensation.

Start by reporting the problem to your landlord, ideally in writing. Be specific about the areas affected and keep records of any communication (eg photos and videos) that can help support your case.

If the issue is ignored or inadequately repaired, and the brickwork continues to pose a risk or worsens, you may be eligible to escalate the matter to the Housing Ombudsman.

Firstly, complete our short form, and we'll arrange a free callback at a time that suits you. One of our expert case advisers will review your situation and, if they think you have a case, refer it to our panel of specialist housing disrepair solicitors.

A solicitor will carry out a free, no-obligation assessment to determine if there are grounds for a ‘no-win, no-fee’ claim, and if your case qualifies, your solicitor will guide you through each step, ensuring repairs are pursued and any due compensation is claimed. 

From start to finish, a dedicated legal expert will manage your case with professionalism and care, even if Court action becomes necessary.

No, there's no charge for the initial assessment of your case. If eligible, these cases are dealt with on a no-win, no-fee basis, so if you go ahead and win your claim, the solicitor's fee (typically around 25%) will be deducted from the compensation awarded. 

Everything will be clearly explained in advance and documented in your agreement. If you later decide to cancel the claim after the 14-day cooling-off period, some fees may apply depending on the circumstances.

The amount you might receive depends on how the brickwork issues have affected your living conditions.

Common areas for compensation include:

  • Areas of your home being unsafe or unusable due to brick deterioration
  • Personal belongings damaged by related damp or draughts caused by the defective brickwork
  • Emotional distress and inconvenience
  • Any health issues or repair costs linked to the disrepair

Each case is assessed individually based on the extent and impact of the damage. If your solicitor takes on your case, they will be able to advise fully about what you can recover.

At Premier Legal Assist, we’re committed to helping tenants who’ve been let down by their social landlords. We work with legal professionals who are experts in housing disrepair, including external building defects like damaged or unsafe brickwork.

You don’t have to face this situation alone; our team supports tenants every day to pursue compensation when landlords fail to carry out essential repairs.

Please note that we are a claims management company. You’re not required to use a claims management company for your claim; you can also raise complaints directly with your landlord or through the Housing Ombudsman for free.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service that resolves disputes between tenants and their housing providers, including councils and housing associations. It offers a free, impartial alternative to going to court. 

Before submitting a complaint, you must first attempt to resolve the matter directly with your landlord. If that doesn't work, you can provide the Ombudsman with evidence such as emails, reports, and photographs.

They may mediate or investigate, ultimately offering a recommendation. While these decisions aren't legally binding, landlords are generally expected to follow them. 

You can also seek legal support during this process to ensure your case is represented effectively.

The timeframe varies depending on the complexity of your case, particularly if a significant amount of evidence is needed or Court involvement becomes necessary.

While we cannot provide an exact timeline, your solicitor will keep you regularly updated and explain what to expect at each stage. Rest assured, your case will be handled with utmost urgency and care from start to finish.

Get in touch with Premier Legal Assist today

If you’ve reported defective brickwork in your council or housing association property and your landlord hasn’t responded appropriately, let us help. 

You have the right to a safe, structurally sound home and the right to hold your landlord accountable. Please fill out our claim form today, and a member of our team will be in touch with you.

Our Client Commitment

At Premier Legal Assist, we’re here to make sure your voice is heard.

We are committed to:

  • Listening to you and treating your concerns with respect and understanding.
  • Acting quickly and fairly to assess your case and connect you with experienced housing disrepair solicitors.
  • Keeping things clear by explaining your options in plain English and avoiding technical legal jargon.
  • Supporting you throughout the claims process – no pressure, no upfront costs, no time wasting.
  • Respecting your privacy by protecting your personal data.
  • Putting your well-being first, helping you achieve the safe and secure home you deserve.

Because everyone has the right to a home that’s safe, secure, and fit to live in.

Important Information

Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.