Garden Court North’s housing team secure £26,222 in disrepair damages for family of eight

5 August 2025

Huddersfield County Court ordered the landlord to pay damages and legal costs due to significant disrepair. Credit: Alastair Wallace / Shutterstock.

Garden Court North’s housing team has secured £26,222 in damages for a family of eight, after Huddersfield County Court ruled that there was significant disrepair in a counterclaim listed for trial last Friday (1 August 2025).

Garden Court North’s Rosalind Burgin represented Ms A at trial on 1 August 2025. Ms A and her partner lived in the property with their six children, all of whom are under 12 years old.

The case began as possession proceedings brought by the landlord against the family. Garden Court North’s Natalie Wilkins prepared the defence and counterclaim for significant disrepair, including defective heating, gas appliances and electrics. Ms A’s family reported going to the homes of friends or family in order to bathe.

The Court ruled that there was disrepair within the meaning of s11 Landlord Tenant Act 1985, and that the property was unfit for habitation within the meaning of s9A and 10 Landlord Tenant Act 1985.

Landlord ordered to pay damages and legal costs

The Claimant landlord discontinued the possession proceedings before the disrepair counterclaim came to trial.

Aside from the damages of £26,222.13, which include a portion of utility bill costs to account for the difficulties the family had in heating their home, the Court ordered the landlord to pay the costs of defending the discontinued possession claim – and the costs of the counterclaim. The landlord was ordered to pay the damages within 14 days.

The Court also ordered the landlord to carry out the repair works recommended by the surveyor, within the next eight weeks.

Rosalind and Natalie were instructed to represent Ms A by Fusion Housing.

For further information, please contact Alex Blair, Communications Manager at Garden Court North Chambers: ablair@gcnchambers.co.uk