Water ingress is one of the most damaging forms of disrepair. A leak that's ignored quickly turns into damp, mould, rotten floors, electrical hazards and ruined possessions. If you've reported a leak and your landlord hasn't fixed it properly, you can claim.
Roofs, gutters, external walls, water pipes, drains and sanitary fittings are all covered by your landlord's repairing duty under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Where the leak comes from a neighbouring flat owned by the same landlord, or from communal areas, it's still their responsibility.
Your landlord must do more than mop up — they must identify the source, carry out a lasting repair and make good the damage (plaster, decoration, flooring). If the leak has caused damp or mould, that becomes part of the same claim.
Use the 60-second checker or call us. We confirm eligibility within 24 hours.
Photos, reports to your landlord and an independent survey build your case.
Our solicitors put your landlord on formal notice to repair and compensate.
Work completed and compensation agreed — usually without court.
If the upstairs flat has the same landlord (typical in council and housing association blocks), you claim against that landlord. If it's a different private owner, we'll advise on the best route — your own landlord still has a duty to keep your home in repair.
Repeated failed repairs are strong evidence for a claim. An independent surveyor will identify the real cause and the landlord will be required to fix it properly.
Yes. Keep receipts where you have them, photos of damaged items, and a list with replacement values. These 'special damages' are claimed on top of general compensation.
Treat this as an emergency — report it immediately and, if you can do so safely, avoid using affected sockets. Water near electrics is a serious hazard and significantly strengthens the urgency of your claim.
Complete our 60-second checker or call us. No pressure, no obligation — just clear answers.
