Landlord Negligence Claims

Living in unsafe housing conditions can have a serious impact on your health and safety. If your landlord has failed in their duty of care to provide you with a safe home and you’ve suffered an injury as a result, you may be entitled to make a landlord negligence claim.

Such claims can arise when landlords ignore hazards such as gas leaks, loose tiles, faulty stairs, mould, and other types of negligence. This can lead to injuries ranging from minor cuts and broken bones to severe head injuries, illnesses and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Our team of solicitors would be happy to offer you a free case assessment to verify if you are entitled to compensation. If you can proceed, they will provide you with a no win no fee service and empathetic support every step of the way.

Call 0800 470 0474 today for a free consultation or request a call back if you would like to start your claim. If you want more information before getting in touch, please continue to read our complete guide on landlord negligence claims below.

Find out if you can claim

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• Am I eligible to make a landlord negligence claim?
• How do I start a claim for landlord negligence?
• What is a landlord's duty of care towards tenants?
• What types of landlord negligence can lead to a personal injury claim?
• What accidents can happen when landlords are negligent?
• What injuries or illnesses can landlord negligence cause?
• What evidence do I need to prove landlord negligence?
• Can I claim compensation on behalf of a loved one?
• What is the time limit to start a landlord negligence or housing disrepair claim?
• How much compensation can I claim for landlord negligence?
• Can I claim against a landlord on a No Win No Fee basis?

Am I eligible to make a landlord negligence claim?

To be eligible to proceed with a compensation claim against your landlord, the following elements need to be established:

• Your landlord owed you a legal duty of care.
• They breached this duty through negligence.
• Their negligence led to an accident or exposure to unsafe conditions.
• You suffered an injury or fell ill as a direct result.
• You are within the legal time limit to make a claim for compensation (usually 3 years).

A personal injury solicitor can verify your eligibility within minutes during a free case assessment over the phone.

How do I start a claim for landlord negligence?

To make a personal injury claim for negligence, the first thing you should do is speak to a specialist solicitor. They will evaluate the merits of your case and explain your legal options. If you can proceed, your solicitor will:

• Make sure your injuries and their long-term effects are adequately assessed.
• Help you gather supporting evidence and calculate how much compensation you could receive.
• Send a letter of claim to the defendant outlining your claim and the damages you seek.
• Engage in negotiations with your landlord if they admit liability, following the pre-action protocol.
• Issue court proceedings and prepare for a trial if the defendant denies liability.
• Argue your case before a judge, if necessary, but this is very rare (less than 3% of all claims).

What is a landlord’s duty of care towards tenants?

Landlords, including local councils and housing associations, have a legal responsibility towards tenants. Their duties stem from the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and include:

• Ensure the property is free from hazards and structurally sound.
• Repair damages and respond promptly to reported hazards.
• Make sure the property is free from damp and mould and is well ventilated.
• Ensure the building adheres to health and safety standards and can withstand normal use and weather conditions.
• Maintain the property’s interior as well as exterior communal areas and footpaths.
• Keep water, gas, electricity, and heating installations in safe working order.
• Provide an Energy Performance Certificate and a Gas Safety Record for the property.
• Check that tenants have the right to rent the property in England and give them a copy of the How to Rent checklist.

If an injury or illness arises from a breach of duty, your landlord may be liable for compensation.

What types of landlord negligence can lead to a personal injury claim?

According to the English Housing Survey (EHS), 3.5 million households (14%) in England failed to meet the statutory minimum standard for housing in 2022/23. 21% of these were living in houses rented from private owners and 10% from housing associations.

The most common types of landlord negligence that could lead to accidents, illnesses and a compensation claim include:

• Failing to repair structural defects.
• Ignoring damp and mould problems.
• Failing to use safety glass when required.
• Poor maintenance of electrical installations and appliances.
• Failing to fit furniture, doors and other fittings correctly.
• Failing to ensure adequate lighting and ventilation.
• Not responding to reports of hazards from tenants.
• Failing to carry out repairs when needed.
• Failing to fix gas leaks or plumbing issues.
• Not implementing adequate fire safety measures.

This list is not exhaustive, and other types of negligence could entitle you to make a housing disrepair claim if it results in you suffering an injury or illness.

What accidents can happen when landlords are negligent?

Various types of accidents could happen in rented accommodation and housing, including:

• Slips, trips and falls – these can be caused by loose carpets, faulty stairs, broken tiles, missing handrails, leaks and various other hazards.
• Falling objects or collapsing structures – these can include falling walls, collapsing balconies, or loose fixtures such as ceiling fans.
• Electrical accidents – due to faulty wiring, broken outlets, ignoring safety standards and lack of maintenance.
• Gas leaks – caused by faulty appliances, poorly maintained heaters, damaged pipes and a lack of annual gas safety checks.
• Exposure to pests, infestations and mould – this can be due to unaddressed water damage, damaged walls, inadequate ventilation and poor maintenance.
• Fire-related accidents – caused by faulty electrics, missing smoke alarms, or defective fire safety measures.
• Asbestos exposure – from failing to maintain the property and allowing asbestos-containing materials to release fibres.

What injuries or illnesses can landlord negligence cause?

Landlords have a duty to ensure that the homes they lease are safe and free from hazards. A breach of duty can cause tenants to suffer various injuries or ill health, including:

• Soft tissue injuries – these include sprains, strains and lacerations that can cause chronic pain, mobility issues and scarring.
• Burn injuries – caused by fires or electric shocks, these can range from superficial burns to deep tissue damage and loss of function.
• Electrocution – caused by exposed wires or faulty appliances, it can result in loss of consciousness, organ damage and death.
• Head injuries – ranging from bumps and concussions to severe brain trauma due to falls or being hit by falling objects.
• Respiratory illnesses – such as asthma, bronchitis and lung infections such as Legionnaires’ disease caused by mould or bacteria.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning – from fires, faulty gas appliances or blocked chimneys, which can be life-threatening.
• Crush injuries – if you are trapped under a collapsing structure or fixture.
• Bed bug bites – these can cause significant swelling, redness, itching and secondary skin infections.

What evidence do I need to prove landlord negligence?

You will need as much evidence as possible to make a compensation claim against a negligent landlord, which could include:

• Photographs or videos of the accident scene, including the defect or unsafe conditions that caused it.
• Pictures of your injuries and your recovery process.
• Medical records showing the illness or injury you sustained, the treatment you received and your prognosis.
• A copy of your tenancy agreement.
• Copies of emails, texts, or letters to your landlord reporting the problem.
• Expert evidence from a professional, such as an Environmental Health Officer or surveyor.
• Property inspection and maintenance records.
• Statements from any witnesses to your accident or other tenants who were aware of the issue.
• Your testimony about the incident, your injuries and how these have affected your life.
• Financial records to prove your related losses and expenses.

Can I claim compensation on behalf of a loved one?

If a loved one was injured due to their landlord’s negligence and cannot make a claim themselves, you may be able to claim on their behalf as a litigation friend. This process can be used when the injured party:

• Is a child under the age of 18.
• Lacks their mental capacity due to an injury, illness or disability, such as Down syndrome.

You can also make a compensation claim if you lost a loved one due to a housing disrepair accident. A fatal injury claim can include compensation for loss of financial support and services, funeral expenses and the grief caused by your loss (bereavement damages).

What is the time limit to start a landlord negligence or housing disrepair claim?

The Limitation Act 1980 imposes a 3-year time limit to claim for an accident in a rented home, starting from when it occurred. There are a few exceptions:

• If you developed an illness, the three years begin from when it is diagnosed and linked to negligence.
• You can make a child injury claim at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
• The limitation date is put on hold if the claimant lacks their mental capacity and is unable to start a claim themselves.

How much compensation can I claim for landlord negligence?

Your landlord negligence compensation claim will be calculated based on two types of damages:

• General damages, covering your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. This includes aspects like emotional trauma, scarring, disability, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium.
• Special damages, covering all your financial losses and expenses. This includes loss of earnings, private medical treatments, care costs and home adaptations.

You can use our personal injury compensation calculator to get an estimate of how much your claim could be worth within minutes. For example, you could receive:

• Up to £12,510 for mild soft tissue injuries to the back.
• Up to £6,870 for short-term discomfort and scarring caused by bed bug bites.
• Up to £14,320 for carbon monoxide poisoning with no significant lung damage.
• In excess of £104,830 for severe burns that cover more than 40% of your body.

Can I claim against a landlord on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you are eligible to claim for injuries caused by landlord negligence, our team of specialist no win no fee solicitors will represent you under a conditional fee agreement (CFA). This means that:

• You will not have to pay a single penny upfront.
• There is no financial risk – if you lose, you won’t pay anything to your solicitor.
• If you win the claim, a success fee will be deducted from your compensation award. This fee is agreed upon from the beginning and capped at 25%.

Contact us today to find out if you can make a no win no fee landlord negligence claim. Call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back, and you will receive a free consultation with no obligation to proceed.

Last edited on 15th Sep 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.