One in five English adults reported that bad housing circumstances had harmed their mental health. Housing Disrepair leads respiratory issues and allergies, therefore, making a need for housing disrepair claims in the UK for PSLA.
The cost of housing and the land it is built on is high. According to the most recent Housing Survey by the Office of National Statistics, out of the estimated 23.2 million households in England in 2017–18, 14.8 million, or 64%, are owner-occupied, with 30% of those families now making mortgage payments.
People’s options, capacities, and capacities to work and save are frequently interrupted, limited, or removed by experiences of mental health trouble. In addition, people with mental health issues are often exposed to the private rental market due to a lack of social housing, which results in unstable housing, a possibility of poor property management, subpar living conditions, and higher rents.
Less than 1% of the people in England own more than 50% of the country’s land, Reports The Guardian.
Tenants’ stress levels can be greatly increased by housing neglect. High medical costs, reduced quality of life, and recurring issues are all possible effects. Additionally, it may result in mental health issues like anxiety, emotional distress and depression. Disrepair occasionally even causes bodily injury.
Mental and Physical Health Problems Caused by Housing Disrepair
Whoever you rent from must ensure that your residence is risk-free for your physical and mental health. Additionally, your outside space and communal parts must be according to the law. On Shelter’s website, you can read about typical health issues caused by housing disrepair and how it endangers your health and safety.
Your property must also fulfil the government’s “Decent Homes Standard” if you rent from the council or a housing association or reside in sheltered or supported housing. Housing disrepair includes dampness, mould, bugs, defective central heating, structural issues, gas leaks, and electrical and sanitation issues.
For details on what constitutes a “decent home,” visit Shelter’s webpage.
Mental Health Issues Catered by Housing Disrepair Claims
They say, “your home should be your sanctuary.” Thus, your home should provide solace from the rigours of daily life. Unfortunately, the opposite is true for far too many people. If you rent a property unfit for habitation, one of your rights as a tenant is to be informed of any potential problems that can develop when you reside in it.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) has identified the following mental health issues caused due to neglected property damage:
1. Emotional Distress
Any psychological distress experienced by being a victim of a careless house owner is referred to as emotional distress. For example, your landlord’s willful or accidental refusal to make your home habitable might cause emotional distress.
Thus, if a landlord neglects his responsibilities and puts tenants in substandard housing, the damages brought on by disrepair may result in emotional distress. If your home is in disrepair, you might be experiencing emotional anxiety because of having trouble sleeping, sobbing, stressing out, paying attention, or feeling overburdened. It can even lead to low self-esteem.
2. Discomfort and Inconvenience
Approximately 14 million individuals reside in subpar housing, and 5% of adults say that housing concerns have negatively impacted their physical or mental health, reports National Institute of Health, NHS.
However, the public’s awareness of mental health issues is significantly greater nowadays. So, it is no longer acceptable to tell someone to “get themselves together.” You no longer have to grin and bear it if you are trapped in a housing condition that makes you sick.
A growing awareness of the value of good mental health has made it possible for government agencies and the legal system to comprehend these problems better and provide assistance to those living in inadequate homes.
3. Anxiety and Depression
The risk of depression, anxiety, and other psychological problems rises due to poor housing conditions. A contributing factor is an overcrowded and very little room. The other reasons are a lack of natural light and noise pollution.
These deteriorating problems may result in intestine and stomach illnesses. Subpar building work, poor design, ineffective waste disposal, bug infestation, and unclean food preparation and storage areas majorly contribute to depression. Smoke, lead exposure, and high carbon monoxide levels are home maintenance issues that can poison you. Your health can suffer significantly from lead poisoning, which can cause neurological and mental health concerns.
Physical Health Issues Catered by Housing Disrepair Claims
Housing disrepair impacts all aspects of the home, its insides and outsides, and the people residing there. Additionally, it may result in pest infestations, dripping gutters, leaking plumbing, and boiler issues. Poor home conditions affect the household, which harms physical and mental health.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) has highlighted the following physical health issues as a result of ignored property damage:
1. Poison, Cancer and Gastrointestinal Diseases
A house in disrepair is primarily a sanitary concern; it’s not a home.
Intestinal and stomach disorders may result if it is not treated straight away. You’ll also be exposed to bacteria, viruses, and parasites if the drainage system is damaged and the water supply is contaminated. These can, among other things, cause weariness and dehydration.
Water leaks aren’t the only issues you need to be concerned about if your basement is in constant decay. Uncommonly, radon, a radioactive gas, can pollute the area by leaking via seams, cracks, and building connections. Lung cancer can develop if exposed to this tasteless and colourless gas—your risks of contracting the condition increase with the time you are exposed to radon.
2. Physical Injuries, Burns and Electric Shock
Homes with unsafe flooring, balconies, ramps, windows, showers and bathroom surfaces that are uneven or unstable might lead to accidents. Undoubtedly, accidents at home happen frequently compared to road traffic accidents.
According to the World Health Organization, 37.3 million falls per year are severe enough to require medical attention. In addition, unattended defective wiring can result in health issues like burns, electric shocks, and in severe situations, even death.
3. Allergies, Respiratory Conditions, And Cardiovascular Illnesses
Dust mites, damp and mouldy environments, humidity, and organic chemicals can bring on allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. In addition to causing drowsiness, nausea, and headaches, chemicals or organic compounds like formaldehyde, which can be found in various home objects, can also irritate the skin, nose, and eyes.
If your heating system malfunctions, you and your family may also get respiratory ailments. Bronchitis and pneumonia are two particular health issues. Stroke, heart attack, and cardiovascular diseases are other potential outcomes in some extreme situations.
Encapsulating the Discussion
People with neglected housing often feel helpless and unsure of their legal rights. Thus, they cannot access any assistance, whether legal or not.
However, you can file a personal injury case against a negligent landlord and add a claim for emotional distress as compensation. Your compensation claim will consider any emotional distress, anxiety and depression brought on by your home’s condition. Concise Medico can ease the process by getting you the right housing disrepair claim expert report and testimony highlighting your housing conditions.
Contact us right away for housing disrepair claims if your housing conditions are impacting your mental or physical health.
Alternatively, schedule a call back via (01282) 786 185 or drop an email at [email protected] if you’re too busy. We’ll call you back!
