Expert Disrepair Claim Surveyors
for Housing Disrepair Surveys

A housing disrepair survey is a professional inspection of a rented property carried out by an accredited surveyor to identify and document areas of disrepair. The surveyor inspects the structure, exterior and interior of the property, looking at issues such as damp and mould, structural defects, broken heating systems, sanitation faults and defective windows or doors.

The resulting report is a comprehensive document that can be used as evidence in housing disrepair claims under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. It is also used in pre-action protocol correspondence and, if necessary, in legal proceedings.

Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) governs how expert witnesses must behave and present their evidence in English and Welsh civil courts. A Part 35 compliant expert witness report meets all the requirements set out in those rules, including a declaration that the expert's duty is to the court — not to the party who instructed them.

This impartiality is central to what makes our expert witness reports credible in housing disrepair cases. Our surveyors adhere to RICS guidelines for expert witnesses and the accompanying Practice Direction 35, ensuring every report is accepted by courts without challenge.

Yes. Our surveyors regularly act as a single joint expert (SJE), appointed jointly by both the claimant and defendant in housing disrepair cases. In this role, we provide one impartial expert witness report to assist the court — helping to reduce costs and resolve disputes more efficiently.

As a single joint expert, we may also be asked to give oral evidence at a hearing. Our surveyors are experienced in attending court and presenting their findings clearly to judges and legal representatives.

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, particularly Section 11, places a legal duty on landlords to keep the structure and exterior of residential properties in good repair, and to maintain installations for supply of water, gas, electricity and sanitation. This applies to most tenancies in England and Wales.

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 extended these duties, requiring that properties must be fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and throughout. If a landlord breaches these duties, the tenant can bring a disrepair claim for specific performance (forcing the repairs to be done) and/or damages. A housing disrepair survey from our team provides the expert evidence needed to support such a claim.

We aim to book inspections within five working days of instruction, and in most cases, we can deliver the completed report within ten working days of the inspection. For urgent cases — such as where tenants are living with severe damp and mould or structural issues posing an immediate health risk — we can often arrange expedited inspections.

Once you get in touch, we'll confirm the likely timescale and costs before you commit to anything. We always aim to be transparent about what to expect and when.

Absolutely. While we have a strong base in the West Midlands — covering Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and the surrounding areas — our network of local surveyors extends across England and Wales. We regularly carry out housing disrepair surveys in London, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and beyond.

Visit our Areas Covered page to check if we operate in your area, or simply get in touch and we'll let you know straightaway.

A RICS Level 2 survey (formerly known as a HomeBuyer Report) is suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition. It provides a clear assessment of the property's condition using a traffic-light rating system and highlights urgent defects.

A RICS Level 3 survey (formerly known as a Building Survey) is the most comprehensive survey available. It's recommended for older properties, unusual buildings, or properties needing significant repair. It provides a full description of the property's condition, explains the implications of all defects and recommends a schedule of repair works.