Repairs Causing Damage in Wales: Your Rights as a Renter

If repairs or maintenance work in your rented property has led to accidental or preventable damage, understanding your rights is crucial. In Wales, special laws protect tenants like you if repair work arranged by a landlord causes harm to your belongings or further damage to your home. This article focuses on what steps to take if you’re affected, and how current Welsh housing legislation can help you seek redress and keep your home safe.

Responsibilities for Repairs and Resulting Damage

Under Welsh law, landlords are responsible for keeping your home in a safe and habitable condition. If repair works are needed, landlords must act promptly and use reasonable care. If repairs organised by your landlord (or their contractors) cause damage—such as water leaks damaging personal property or poor workmanship damaging walls—it’s important to know what you can do.

When Can Repairs Cause Damage?

• Contractors accidentally break windows, flooring, or doors during works
• Leaks or spills during repair work cause water damage to carpets or belongings
• Negligent building work affects the structure or safety of your home

If you believe the landlord or their appointed supplier caused unnecessary damage, you have a right to seek remedy.

Your Rights Under Welsh Tenancy Law

In Wales, the legal duties covering this area are outlined in the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.¹ This act makes landlords responsible for ensuring the property is fit for human habitation, and for carrying out repairs with proper care. If their repairs lead to further damage, you can:

• Request repairs to fix the new damage
• Request compensation for loss or damage to belongings
• Escalate your complaint if the issue isn’t resolved

What to Do If Repairs Cause Damage

• Gather evidence: Take dated photographs, videos, and keep damaged property
• Notify your landlord in writing: Describe the damage, provide evidence, and ask for prompt resolution
• Document all contact: Keep records of communication in case you need to escalate

Making a Formal Complaint or Claim

If your landlord does not fix the damage or refuses to compensate you, you can escalate:

• Local Authority Environmental Health: Contact your local council if repairs have left your property unsafe or unfit to live in. Councils can serve notices on landlords to carry out repairs under Section 91 – Fitness for human habitation (Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016).¹
• First-tier Tribunal for Wales (Residential Property Tribunal Wales): You may take unresolved issues to the Residential Property Tribunal Wales (official tribunal information) to decide on compensation or repair disputes.²
• Applying for Compensation – Use Official Forms: If seeking compensation, you may need to complete an application form for the tribunal:
  • Form: Application for Determination of Rent or Terms (RHW30)
    When to use: If you want a tribunal to decide the correct remedy for repair-related disputes, including compensation for damage. Submit with supporting evidence.
    Download the RHW30 form (official source).

Always include copies of communication and evidence. The tribunal will consider these and may award compensation or require the landlord to fix the issue.

FAQ: Damage from Repairs in Rented Homes

1. Can my landlord be held responsible for damage caused during repairs?
   Yes. Your landlord is responsible for ensuring repairs are done properly. If damage occurs as a result of poor workmanship or carelessness, you can ask for repairs and compensation.
2. What should I do if repairs damage my belongings?
   Notify your landlord in writing, provide photos, and ask for reasonable compensation or replacement. If denied, you can escalate to your local council or the Residential Property Tribunal Wales.
3. Which official form do I use to claim compensation in Wales?
   Use the RHW30 Application for Determination of Terms to apply to the Residential Property Tribunal Wales. This form lets you ask for a remedy or compensation related to repair damage.
4. How can I prove damage caused by a landlord’s repairs?
   Take clear photographs of all damage, keep anything that’s broken, and save all communication in writing. This evidence is important if the dispute goes to a tribunal.
5. What if emergency repairs made my home uninhabitable?
   If repairs leave your property unsafe or unfit to live in, contact your local council environmental health department as soon as possible. They can assess the property and require your landlord to act.

Key Takeaways

• Landlords in Wales must ensure repairs do not cause unnecessary damage. If they do, you have the right to seek remedy.
• Gather evidence, notify your landlord, and escalate if there’s no resolution—using official forms where necessary.
• The Residential Property Tribunal Wales can step in if you can't reach an agreement with your landlord.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Welsh Government Private Rented Housing: Rights, repairs, and official guidance
• Residential Property Tribunal Wales: Guidance and forms for repair disputes and compensation claims
• Citizens Advice Wales: Free advice on repairs and renter rights
• Official UK Government – Repairs in Rented Housing: Explains all UK nations' repair rules

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1. Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016
2. Residential Property Tribunal Wales (official site)

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