The letter of claim
The letter should identify the property, tenancy, defects, notice history, effect on the household and remedy sought. It may also propose an expert and request relevant documents.
Claims procedure
Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Condition Claims
The pre-action protocol sets out steps tenants and landlords should usually follow before court proceedings in a housing conditions dispute.
Free initial assessmentSRA No. 519502Individual case review
Housing Condition Claims UK
Exchange the right information before litigation
The protocol encourages early identification of defects, disclosure of relevant records, appropriate expert evidence and genuine attempts to agree repairs and compensation.
Read the compensation guide →- A detailed letter of claim
- Landlord acknowledgement and response
- Relevant repair and tenancy records
- Expert inspection where reasonably required
Inspection and expert evidence
An expert may be needed to identify the cause of the defects, necessary work and likely cost. The parties should consider whether a single joint expert or another proportionate approach is suitable.
Urgent cases and court proceedings
Safety-critical conditions may require faster action. If the landlord does not engage or a reasonable resolution cannot be achieved, the legal team will advise whether proceedings are proportionate and appropriate.
What happens next01 02 03
Evidence first. Clear advice next.
Tell us what happened
Share the condition, reporting history and effect on the household.
We assess the information
The team considers responsibility, notice, repair time and supporting evidence.
Options are explained
If the matter can be accepted, the next steps and funding terms are explained clearly.
Common questions
Questions about Pre-Action Protocol for Housing Condition Claims
Does the protocol guarantee settlement?
No. It creates a framework for exchanging information and trying to resolve the dispute.
Is there always a surveyor?
Not in every matter. Expert evidence should be necessary and proportionate to the issues.
Can the protocol be skipped?
Urgent circumstances may require a different approach, but that decision needs case-specific legal advice.