Landlord Negligence Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Landlords have a legal duty to keep the structure and certain installations of a rented property in good repair. If you were injured because your landlord failed to fix a known defect, or breached their gas, electrical or fitness-for-habitation obligations, EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Landlords must keep the structure, exterior and certain installations of a property in repair
- Liability generally requires the landlord to have known, or ought to have known, of the defect
- Applies to private, social and council landlords alike
- Covers falls from disrepair, and gas, electrical and damp/mould-related harm
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
A Landlord's Legal Duty to Repair
Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords of most residential tenancies are required to keep in repair the structure and exterior of the property, and keep in working order the installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, and for sanitation, space heating and heating water. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 adds a further obligation to ensure the property is fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy. Landlords must also comply with statutory gas safety and electrical safety inspection requirements.
Crucially, a landlord is generally only liable for disrepair they knew about, or ought reasonably to have known about (for example following a tenant's report), and then failed to fix within a reasonable time. This is why reporting problems in writing and keeping records is so important.
Common Landlord Negligence Injury Claims
- Falls caused by disrepair — broken stairs, handrails, flooring or steps that the landlord knew about and failed to fix
- Falling objects or structural failures — ceiling collapses, falling fixtures or fittings caused by long-standing disrepair
- Gas safety failures — carbon monoxide poisoning or explosion risk from a lack of required annual gas safety checks or unsafe appliances
- Electrical safety failures — electric shock or fire caused by faulty wiring or installations not properly inspected or maintained
- Damp, mould and respiratory illness — health problems caused by prolonged, unaddressed damp and mould in the property
- Injuries in common parts — communal stairways, walkways or entrances in a block of flats that the landlord is responsible for maintaining
Evidence in Landlord Negligence Claims
- Written records of any reports you made to your landlord or letting agent about the defect, and their responses
- Photographs of the defect and the accident scene
- Your tenancy agreement
- Gas safety certificates and electrical safety records, where relevant, obtainable from your landlord or local authority
- Medical records documenting your injury or illness
- Witness statements, including from other residents aware of the same issue
What Compensation Can Cover
Compensation covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and special damages including medical treatment, lost earnings, damaged belongings, and, where relevant, the cost of alternative accommodation while repairs were carried out.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate knee injury | c. £13,000–£26,000 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Landlord Negligence Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If the claim fails, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. We will explain all costs clearly before you decide to proceed.