Housing disrepair usually means that a rented property has fallen into poor condition because the landlord has failed to carry out repairs they are responsible for. This can include issues with the roof, walls, windows, doors, heating, hot water, plumbing, drainage, electrics, sanitation, flooring, stairs or communal areas.

It can also include damp and mould where the cause is linked to something the landlord should have repaired, such as a leak, defective brickwork, broken guttering, poor insulation or inadequate ventilation systems. Each case depends on the facts, so it is important to look at the condition of the property, what the landlord knew and how long the problem has been allowed to continue.