What Evidence Do You Need for a Housing Disrepair Claim?

1. Photos and Videos

Visual evidence of the disrepair itself is usually the most straightforward to gather - and one of the most powerful.

Aim to gather:

• Clear photos of every affected area - mould, damp patches, leaks, damaged walls, broken fittings, pest damage, structural issues
• Videos where movement or spread is visible (for example, a leak actively dripping, or mould covering a large wall)
• Photos taken from different angles and distances so the scale is clear
• A photo of the whole room alongside the close-up of the problem
• Dated photos - most smartphones record the date and time automatically

Why it matters: Photos are objective. They show what the problem looks like, how serious it is, and - if you have them over time - how long it has been ongoing and whether it has worsened. A series of dated photos is significantly more powerful than a single image.

2. Written Reports to Your Landlord

Your landlord is only legally required to carry out repairs once they have been told about the problem. Written evidence that you reported it - and when - is essential.

Aim to gather:

• Emails to your landlord, housing officer, or repairs team
• Text or WhatsApp messages reporting the problem
• Letters you sent, with proof of postage if possible
• Copies of any online repair reporting forms you submitted
• Any written acknowledgements or responses from your landlord

Why it matters: If your landlord claims they were never told about the problem, written evidence proves they were. The date of your first report also establishes when the "reasonable time" clock started - which directly affects whether your landlord is in breach of their legal duty.

Use our Step-by-Step Claims Checklist for guidance on how to track and record communication

3. Landlord Responses (or No Response)

What your landlord did - or did not do - after you reported the problem is as important as the report itself.

Aim to gather:

• Any written responses from your landlord to your repair requests
• Appointment letters or texts for repair visits
• Notes on what repairs were attempted, when, and by whom
• Evidence that repairs were done poorly or failed to fix the problem
• Records of broken or missed appointments
• Notes of phone calls - date, time, who you spoke to, and what was said

Why it matters: This evidence shows the timeline of events and demonstrates whether your landlord acted promptly or not. A landlord who visited but did nothing, or made a poor repair that failed, is still in breach of their duty.

4. Medical Evidence

If the disrepair has affected your health - or the health of anyone in your household, including children - medical evidence can significantly increase the value of your claim.

Aim to gather:

• GP records showing visits related to symptoms caused or worsened by the disrepair (for example, respiratory problems, skin conditions, anxiety, or disturbed sleep)
• A letter from your GP linking your health condition to your housing conditions - your solicitor can help you request this
• Hospital or clinic letters if your condition required further treatment
• Prescriptions for medication related to your condition
• Records of health visitor or social worker visits if relevant

Why it matters: Health impact is one of the main factors that determines compensation. A claim that includes documented health effects - particularly conditions like asthma, chest infections, or anxiety caused by damp and mould - is worth considerably more than one based on inconvenience alone.

5. Financial Loss Evidence

If the disrepair has cost you money directly, you may be able to claim for that loss as well.

Aim to gather:

• Receipts for belongings damaged or destroyed by the disrepair (for example, clothing, bedding, furniture, or electricals affected by mould or leaks)
• Records of extra costs you have incurred - higher energy bills from a heating fault, temporary heaters you had to buy, or storage costs if belongings had to be moved
• Photographic evidence of damaged belongings alongside receipts or proof of purchase
• Any insurance claim records if you made a claim for damaged items

Why it matters: Financial losses can be claimed in addition to general inconvenience compensation. The more clearly you can document what you lost and its value, the easier it is for a solicitor to include this in your claim.

6. Third-Party Reports

Evidence that comes from an independent or official source often carries significant weight.

Aim to gather:

• Reports from your local council's Environmental Health team if they inspected your property
• Improvement notices or other enforcement action taken against your landlord
• Reports from a housing surveyor or inspector
• Letters or reports from health visitors, social workers, or other professionals who visited your home
• Written statements from neighbours who can confirm they witnessed the same conditions or reported similar issues

Why it matters: Independent verification of the disrepair - particularly from a council officer or surveyor - removes any doubt about whether the problem exists or is serious. If Environmental Health has already been involved, this is very strong supporting evidence.