If you have a repair or a problem with a repair, contact us.
We want to help keep your home in good order. It’s our duty and the right thing to do.
We work hard to repair your homes quickly, and want to get it right first time. If you feel we need to do better, please tell us: we’re here to help you.
Disrepair claims
Some tenants are choosing to make claims against us for not carrying out a repair or not doing it properly. This is having a negative impact on Housing finances, our tenants and communities.
The number of claims against the council is increasing. The impact of these claims means there is less and less money for much-needed repairs and improvements to homes like yours.
We want to use this money to help you, our residents, and not legal companies.
If you're thinking of making a claim against the council because you feel we haven’t carried out a repair or done it well you should report a repair to your council home first so we can fix any outstanding repairs issues.
Legal firms make huge profits from these claims – not you.
Even if your claim is successful, you are likely to be left with only a very small percent of money paid in damages.
In some cases, tenants have been left with many thousands of pounds of debt in legal fees or court costs. This is on top of the stress of having to go to court.
Housing disrepair ‘claims farmers’
Claims farmers encourage people to make compensation claims. They then sell this information on to legal firms for their own gain. Some will let you believe they are working for the council, but they are not.
Claims farm workers have been reported going door to door in York, and could be targeting your area.
They are also targeting our tenants through social media. This appears to be supported by the council but it is not.
If they come to your door, make sure you:
- always ask for identification and check it
- call the police if you feel scared or threatened
- tell Trading Standards on telephone: 0808 223 1133 if they are claiming to be from the council
- talk to us before you sign any documents
‘No win, no fee’ offers
A number of solicitors firms are offering tenants in York to take up disrepair claims against their landlord on a ‘no win, no fee’.
There are significant risks involved including the stress of going to court and court costs. One case brought against the council left the tenant having to pay over £10,000 in court costs.
Warning: don’t be misled or pushed into signing anything: you will be liable to pay fees if you change your mind. Some tenants have been left in debt with large legal bills.
Tell us first about a disrepair problem
To report a repair, contact us using our Housing Repairs phone line, which is open 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
To report an emergency repair outside normal office hours, call our Housing Repairs Out of Hours phone line on telephone: 01904 630405 or telephone: 01904 427699.
If you're unhappy about how we have responded to a request for a repair, or how we have carried out a repair, tell us first. Your concern will be assessed and treated impartially. Find our more about how we will deal with your complaint or email: haveyoursay@york.gov.uk.
Also see
Housing Repairs
Telephone: 01904 551550 (option 4, option 1)