Nottingham City Council agrees damp, roof and flooring repairs in six months after tenant's reports were ignored
Our client, a Nottingham City Council tenant, lived with damp and mould, a roof defect and damaged flooring for between one and two years.
They reported the problems to the council, which ignored the reports. The disrepair caused inconvenience throughout that time.
They instructed Antony Hodari Solicitors in March 2026 on a no win, no fee basis. Our independent surveyor confirmed the disrepair and estimated the repairs at around £11,000. The landlord's expert also found disrepair. We issued Court proceedings in July 2026.
The claim settled in September 2026 on the acceptance of a Part 36 offer. Nottingham City Council agreed to carry out repair works within 120 working days and to pay our client £1,000 in damages and their legal costs.
Case at a glance
What problems had our client reported?
Our client had reported damp and mould and a problem with the roof for between one and two years before contacting us. The flooring was also damaged.
The disrepair caused inconvenience in the home throughout that period.
Why did the problem persist?
The problem persisted because the council ignored the reports. Damp and mould with a building cause, such as a roof defect, will not clear until the cause is repaired.
An independent surveyor later estimated the repairs at around £11,000.
What did Antony Hodari Solicitors do?
We sent a letter of claim in March 2026 under the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims. The Protocol requires the landlord to disclose its repair records and respond within a set timetable.
We arranged an independent surveyor's inspection in April 2026. The surveyor, instructed by Antony Hodari Solicitors, confirmed the disrepair and estimated the repairs at around £11,000. The landlord's own expert also found disrepair.
When the claim could not be resolved under the Protocol, we issued Court proceedings in July 2026.
How did the claim settle?
The claim settled in September 2026 on the acceptance of a Part 36 offer, approximately two months after proceedings were issued and six months after our client instructed us.
Nottingham City Council agreed to carry out repair works within 120 working days and to pay our client £1,000 in damages and their legal costs. The settlement contained no confidentiality clause.
Is a council responsible for damp, mould and a leaking roof?
Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, a council landlord must keep the structure and exterior of the home in repair. The roof is part of the structure. Damp and mould caused by a building defect will usually fall within that duty. Section 9A of the same Act requires the home to be fit to live in. Liability depends on the tenancy, the defect, notice to the landlord, a reasonable time to repair and the landlord's response.
In this case both experts found disrepair.
What happens if the landlord's own surveyor agrees there is disrepair?
It usually shortens the claim. Once both experts agree that works are needed, the remaining issues are the timetable, the damages and the costs. The claim can often settle without a trial.
Here the landlord's expert found disrepair as our surveyor had, and the claim settled two months after issue.
Can a housing disrepair claim secure repairs as well as compensation?
Yes. A claim can secure an agreement or an order for the works, with a deadline, alongside damages for the period of disrepair and payment of legal costs. In many cases the works are the most valuable part of the outcome.
In this case the council agreed to carry out repair works within 120 working days; our surveyor had estimated the repairs at around £11,000.
What is a Part 36 offer?
A Part 36 offer is a formal offer to settle made under Part 36 of the Civil Procedure Rules. If it is refused and the Court later awards an outcome at least as good as the offer, the party who refused it usually faces costs consequences. Accepting a Part 36 offer brings the claim to an end on its terms.
This claim settled on the acceptance of a Part 36 offer in September 2026.
Can I make a housing disrepair claim against a council?
Yes. Council tenants have the same repairing rights as housing association tenants under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The claim follows the Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Conditions Claims, and the council must disclose its repair records and respond within the Protocol timetable.
In this case the claim against the council settled by Part 36 offer.
How long does a housing disrepair claim take?
It depends on the defects, the landlord's response and whether proceedings are needed. Where the expert evidence is agreed, a claim can settle quickly once proceedings are issued.
This claim concluded approximately six months after instruction and two months after issue.
Related case studies
Is your council ignoring damp, mould or a roof problem in your home?
Antony Hodari Solicitors acts for social housing tenants across England. If your landlord has ignored your reports of damp, mould or a leaking roof, we can assess whether you may have a claim.
We act on a no win, no fee basis in eligible housing disrepair cases, and you can read more of our case studies to see how similar matters have concluded.
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