Home should
feel like home.
Living with repairs that never get sorted?
Let’s help you find a way forward.
We help council and housing association tenants in England understand their options for repairs and compensation.
Clear advice. Your next step, explained.
*Subject to eligibility and agreement terms. Costs & funding
Problems we can
help you understand.
From recurring mould to a boiler that still hasn’t been fixed, start with the issue affecting you.
Damp & mould
Persistent mould, damp walls and recurring condensation linked to a repair problem.
Find out moreLeaks & water damage
Leaking roofs and pipes, water ingress and damage to ceilings or belongings.
Find out moreHeating & hot water
Broken boilers, recurring heating faults and a persistent lack of hot water.
Find out moreStructural defects
Damaged ceilings, unsafe floors, significant cracks and deteriorating brickwork.
Find out moreElectrical faults
Unsafe fixed wiring, damaged sockets and recurring electrical installation faults.
Find out moreWindows & doors
Rotten frames, broken external doors and windows that let in water.
Find out moreYou don’t need all
the answers to start.
A few details about your tenancy and the problem will help establish your next step.
Our service is for council and housing association tenants in England. Each case is assessed individually.
Check your eligibilityYou may be able to take action if…
- You rent from a council or housing association in England.
- A repair problem is affecting your home.
- Your landlord knows about the issue and it remains unresolved.
The type of problem, urgency, evidence and landlord’s response all matter. Completing an assessment does not confirm eligibility.
Haven’t reported it yet? Start hereOne step at a time.
- 01
Tell us what’s wrong
Describe your tenancy, the repairs and what you have already reported.
- 02
Understand your options
Your circumstances and evidence are reviewed, with any costs explained before you decide.
- 03
Work towards a resolution
If your case is accepted and you instruct us, we pursue the appropriate next steps.
A legal team on
your side of the door.
Being listened to should not be another thing you have to fight for.
Dwellside Legal is a campaign website operated for Rees Clayton Solicitors Ltd. Our focus is helping social housing tenants make sense of unresolved repairs and the choices available to them.
Get to know DwellsideA little clarity
goes a long way.
How to report a repair clearly
What to tell your landlord and how to keep a useful record.
Read the guide GETTING PREPAREDThe evidence worth keeping
A simple checklist for photos, repair reports and everyday impact.
Read the guide YOUR RIGHTSUnderstanding Awaab’s Law
Where to find the current rules for hazards in social housing.
Read the guideLet’s make
things clearer.
Some of the questions tenants ask before taking the next step.
View all FAQsWho is this service for?
Dwellside Legal is for council and housing association tenants with a rented home in England. We do not accept private tenancy enquiries through this service. If you are unsure who your landlord is, check your tenancy agreement.
Do I have to tell my landlord first?
Report the problem to your landlord as soon as possible and keep a record. A repair report and a formal complaint are different things. The response needed will depend on the defect and how urgent it is; there is no single waiting period for every problem.
What if I reported the problem by phone?
Keep any repair reference, call log or notes about who you spoke to and when. An email or message confirming your earlier report can help create a written record. Not having an email from the first report does not automatically rule out a claim.
Can a claim help get repairs completed?
A housing disrepair claim may seek appropriate repair works as well as compensation. The outcome depends on the landlord’s responsibilities, the evidence and the individual circumstances. Repairs and compensation are not guaranteed.
How much compensation could I receive?
There is no fixed amount. Relevant factors may include the nature and duration of the disrepair, the effect on the use of your home and proven losses. An individual assessment is needed, so we do not present an automatic compensation figure.
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
Eligible claims may be funded through a conditional fee agreement. The agreement explains when fees apply, deductions if a claim succeeds, insurance and any circumstances where you could still have to pay. Read our costs and funding page for the approach used on this review website.
You’ve reported it.
Now let’s talk about it.
Tell us what is happening in your home.
Council & housing association tenants · England