The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires landlords to ensure that their homes are free from serious hazards. In brief this law:
- Requires landlords to ensure that their homes are free from serious hazards.
- Gives tenants have the right to take court action if the property is unfit for human habitation
- Provides the legal powers for a court to force the landlord to reduce or remove the hazard, or award damages.
More broadly, landlords must ensure that their property, including any common parts of the building, is fit for human habitation at the beginning of the tenancy and throughout.
To achieve that, landlords will need to ensure that their property is free of hazards which are so serious that the dwelling is not reasonably suitable for occupation in that condition.
Where a landlord fails to do so, the tenant has the right to take action in the courts for breach of contract on the grounds that the property is unfit for human habitation.
The remedies available to the tenant are an order by the court requiring the landlord to take action to reduce or remove the hazard, and / or damages to compensate them for having to live in a property which was not fit for human habitation.
Guidance on the Act for Tenants and Landlords - gov.uk
For practical advice on this area, you can contact the following local advice agencies:
Direct Help and Advice: Email housingadvice@dhadvice.org. Call 01332 287850.