Client wins breach claim against Brent Council after the landlord failed to complete the agreed works in time

Ms W, a tenant in London with Brent Council had leeches and gutter flies in her home. Brent Council accepted liability, agreed £5660 worth of initial compensation, and set out their schedule for repairs. However, they still breached this agreement leading to further compensation for Ms W.

Leeches and gutter flies demand one’s attention. Their presence in someone’s home would surely be something a landlord would act upon immediately. In Ms W’s home in London, a broken soil stack underneath the hallway had caused the infestation, and still Brent Council dragged their feet.

For nearly a year, Ms W had complained not only about the infestation, but about other problems as well. She had reported extended mould growth in the downstairs storage room, toilet, and the upstairs hallway.

There was also an active leak coming through the ceiling of the downstairs toilet room. Water gathering around the electrical fittings was a serious hazard in Ms W’s day to day life.

Not only this, but the bannisters in the hallway that had been installed were defective, causing Ms W to feel unsafe in her own home.

When Ms W instructed us at Pabla & Pabla, Brent Council quickly realised their liability for the disrepair. Fee earner, Louis Jackson, worked swiftly to agree compensation and a schedule of works for Ms W’s home.

She was granted £5660, with the works set to be completed in 120 days.
However, Brent Council did not complete all the scheduled works within this time frame and thus were liable to pay out more compensation.

At this stage, some law firms would decide to leave a client on their own. Alternatively, we at Pabla & Pabla will continue to work with clients until all the agreed works by a landlord have been completed.

Although Ms W was rewarded a further £850 by Brent Council because of the breach in their contract, the main aspect of our work in the Housing Disrepair Department is to fix the disrepair.

Like our work with Ms W, we will always make sure that repairs are completed within the agreed timeline by the landlord. If they breach this agreement, we will continue to work with our clients until the repairs are complete.