Making a housing disrepair claim is one of the most effective ways to hold a landlord accountable when they fail to carry out essential repairs. But success doesn’t come down to chance — it comes down to evidence.
Strong, well-documented evidence is the foundation of every compensation claim for housing disrepair. Without it, landlords can deny responsibility, drag out the process, and leave tenants without the compensation and repairs they deserve.
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we’ve helped thousands of tenants win their cases by gathering, organising, and presenting the right evidence. In this guide, we’ll show you step by step how to collect the proof you need to make your claim successful — and how our housing disrepair experts and housing disrepair solicitors can maximise your chances of winning.
Why Evidence is Essential in Housing Disrepair Claims
Landlords often try to minimise, ignore, or outright deny the issues tenants face. Without evidence, your word is just your word against theirs.
Evidence proves:
- That the disrepair exists.
- That you informed your landlord about it.
- That your landlord failed to act in a reasonable timeframe.
- That the disrepair caused you inconvenience, health problems, or financial losses.
The stronger the evidence, the more likely your housing disrepair compensation claim will succeed — and the more compensation you may receive.
Types of Evidence You’ll Need
There are several categories of evidence that will strengthen your claim. Ideally, you should collect a combination of the following:
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we’ve helped thousands of tenants win their cases by gathering, organising, and presenting the right evidence. In this guide, we’ll show you step by step how to collect the proof you need to make your claim successful — and how our housing disrepair experts and housing disrepair solicitors can maximise your chances of winning.
1. Photographs and Videos
- Take clear, dated photos of the damage or disrepair.
- Capture the problem from multiple angles.
- Record video walkthroughs to show the scale of the issue.
- Keep taking updated photos if the problem gets worse.
2. Written Records
- Always report problems in writing (email, text, or letter).
- Keep copies of everything you send to your landlord.
- Save any replies — or note when your landlord ignored you.
3. Medical Evidence
If your health has been affected, this is crucial. Collect:
- GP records.
- Hospital visit summaries.
- Prescription receipts.
- Letters from doctors linking your symptoms to the disrepair (e.g., mould-related asthma).
4. Financial Evidence
If you’ve suffered financial loss due to disrepair, gather:
- Receipts for damaged belongings.
- Bills for alternative heating or temporary accommodation.
- Records of lost earnings if you’ve had to take time off work.
5. Witness Statements
Neighbours, friends, or family who have seen the disrepair can provide statements. These add credibility, especially if your landlord disputes the issue.
6. Expert Evidence
Independent surveyors or inspectors can provide reports confirming the disrepair and its risks. Our housing disrepair solicitors often arrange these as part of your claim.
Step-by-Step: How to Gather and Organise Your Evidence
Step 1: Report Issues in Writing
Always notify your landlord in writing. For example:
- “On [date], I reported damp and mould in the bedroom. No action has been taken.”
Keep a log of every message you send. This proves your landlord knew about the problem.
Step 2: Keep a Repair Diary
Write down every incident:
- When you first noticed the issue.
- When and how you reported it.
- How it affected your daily life.
- Any worsening of the problem.
This diary can be used as supporting evidence.
Step 3: Take Regular Photos and Videos
Document the damage at the start and throughout. For example:
- Water stains spreading across ceilings.
- Mould patches growing larger.
- Broken heating still unrepaired in winter.
Date every file and keep them safely stored.
Step 4: Collect Medical Records
Visit your GP as soon as your health is affected. Even if symptoms seem minor, official records are vital. Tell your doctor you live in a property with damp, mould, leaks, or heating issues so they record the connection.
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we’ve helped thousands of tenants win their cases by gathering, organising, and presenting the right evidence. In this guide, we’ll show you step by step how to collect the proof you need to make your claim successful — and how our housing disrepair experts and housing disrepair solicitors can maximise your chances of winning.
Step 5: Track Financial Costs
Keep receipts for everything related to the disrepair. Example:
- Buying a heater because the boiler is broken.
- Replacing bedding damaged by mould.
- Paying for taxis to hospital appointments.
Step 6: Gather Witness Statements
Ask anyone who’s seen the disrepair to write a brief statement. For example, “On [date], I visited and saw black mould on the walls of the bedroom.”
Step 7: Get Expert Support
Finally, contact Housing Disrepair Claims. We work with independent surveyors and the best housing disrepair solicitors to build the strongest possible case.
How Evidence Affects Compensation
The amount of housing disrepair compensation you receive depends on the quality of your evidence. Strong evidence can increase your payout by thousands.
Here’s how compensation is usually calculated:
- General damages — inconvenience and loss of enjoyment.
- Special damages — specific financial losses.
- Personal injury damages — if your health was harmed.
Common Mistakes Tenants Make
Many tenants weaken their claims by:
- Only reporting issues verbally, with no written record.
- Failing to take dated photos.
- Throwing away damaged belongings without photographing them.
- Not visiting a GP when health is affected.
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we make sure you avoid these mistakes and gather the right evidence from day one.
Why Choose Housing Disrepair Claims?
We specialise in helping tenants build strong cases and win fair settlements. When you work with us, you get:
- Free case reviews to assess your eligibility.
- Step-by-step support in gathering evidence.
- Access to housing disrepair solicitors who win consistently.
- A no win, no fee guarantee, so there’s no risk to you.
- The confidence that comes from working with true housing disrepair experts.
The Bottom Line — Evidence Wins Cases
If you want to make a housing disrepair claim, don’t leave it to chance. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be — and the more likely you are to secure the housing disrepair compensation claim you deserve.
📞 Contact Housing Disrepair Claims today for free advice and expert guidance on gathering evidence and starting your claim.