Evidence
What Evidence Is Needed for a Housing Disrepair Claim?
Author: [BRAND_NAME] Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Independent legal review pending
Published 2026-06-26
Quick answer
The most useful evidence for a housing disrepair enquiry is a clear record of the problem and of telling your landlord about it: dated photographs or videos, copies of how you reported each issue, any repair reference numbers, and notes of inspections, appointments and works. You do not need everything to start — keep what you have and add to it over time.
Key points
- Two things matter most: evidence of the disrepair, and evidence that you reported it.
- Dated photographs and written reports (email, portal, letter, text) are especially helpful.
- A simple timeline of events makes everything easier to follow.
- You do not need medical records to begin an enquiry.
- Our free chronology builder and evidence checklist can help you organise this.
Evidence of the disrepair itself
- Clear, dated photographs of each affected area, including wide shots and close-ups.
- Short videos where a photo cannot show the problem (for example a leak or a damp smell described aloud).
- Notes of which rooms are affected and whether any room cannot be used normally.
- Evidence of damage to belongings, if relevant, such as photographs and receipts.
Evidence that you reported it
Landlords usually need to know about a problem and have a reasonable chance to fix it. Records that show when and how you reported each issue are very valuable.
- Emails, letters, repair-portal entries, or texts reporting the problem (keep copies).
- Repair reference or job numbers given by the landlord or agent.
- Dates of inspections, promised appointments, and any that were missed.
- Complaint letters and the landlord’s responses.
Documents about your tenancy
- Your tenancy agreement, if you have a copy.
- Rent statements or proof of who your landlord is.
- Any inspection or surveyor reports you have been given.
You may not need us — free routes first
You can often resolve repairs for free. Depending on your situation you may be able to:
- report repairs to your landlord in writing and keep a dated copy;
- use your landlord’s formal complaints process;
- take dated photos and keep a record of what you reported and when;
- give your landlord a reasonable chance to put things right.
Frequently asked questions
- What if I reported problems only by phone?
- Verbal reports still count, but they are harder to prove. Try to follow up in writing — even a short email or text saying “as I reported by phone on [date]…” creates a record. Note the dates and who you spoke to.
- I have lost some photos. Can I still enquire?
- Yes. Use whatever you have. Many problems are ongoing, so you can usually take fresh dated photographs now and continue to document the situation.
Sources
RemedyBridge provides a free initial check for housing disrepair problems in England & Wales. The result is a guide only and never tells you that you definitely have a claim. Checking your situation is free.