Housing Conditions Claims

We undertake Housing Conditions Claims (formerly Housing Disrepair claims) inspections on residential properties owned by housing associations and local authorities. We are predominately singularly instructed by Solicitors acting for Defendants, but do accept joint instructions from Claimant’s Solicitors to act as Single Joint Experts, always having in mind that our duty as experts is to the court, in accordance with Part 35 of the Civil Procedures Rules.

We have significant experience in interpreting Sections 9A, 10 and 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 during our inspections of properties, whilst also being able to distinguish the difference between items being deemed out of repair (disrepair) and the notions of “improvement” and “inherent design defects”.

Our surveyors are proficient in the use of electronic moisture meters, undertaking Calcium Carbide tests (Speedy tests) and salt (nitrates and chlorides) analysis tests, so that any allegations of rising dampness within Letters of Claim can be correctly inspected and evaluated. Furthermore, during inspections of properties our surveyors routinely use hygrometers to record ambient temperatures, Relative Humidity percentages and surface temperatures within properties’ rooms, so that condensation and the presence of any mould growth can also be analysed, with any obligated repairs/improvements, if any, correctly determined.