The Problem: Years of Broken Promises and a Lessor Who Refused to Act
A leaseholder spent years reporting serious defects with the front door and several windows, all of which fell squarely within the lessor’s responsibility under the repairing covenants in the lease. After exhausting every avenue with the managing agents and contractors, nothing changed. In return, they received only broken promises, missed appointments, and repeated delays.
Once our specialist leasehold disrepair solicitors became involved, the position shifted. With clear evidence and a firm approach, we pushed the claim forward and achieved a settlement that compensated the leaseholder for the prolonged inconvenience and compelled the lessor to finally address the issues.
Years of Defective Doors and Windows – With No Resolution from the Lessor
From the moment the leaseholder moved in, the front door was ill-fitted and insecure. There were gaps around the frame, the locking mechanism frequently jammed, and the door panel came away from the frame. This created heat loss, draughts and a major security concern.
The windows in the living area and kitchen were also loose. They rattled loudly whenever there were high winds, causing severe draughts, heat loss and intrusive noise that made the rooms uncomfortable to use. These defects were repeatedly notified from the first month of occupation onwards.
Despite numerous emails, calls, online repair reports and inspections by the landlord’s representatives, no meaningful repair work was carried out. Lock changes were attempted, but the underlying frame defect was never addressed. Promises of a full door replacement were given several times, but no replacement ever materialised.
For related information, please read: ‘Can Leaseholder Claim Compensation for Disrepair?’
How We Moved the Case Forward: Lease Review, Expert Survey, and a Clear Breach of Repairing Covenants
By the time we were instructed, the leaseholder had endured the problems for well over a year and had reached the point of complete frustration. We reviewed the lease and confirmed that responsibility for the door, the door frame and the window frames rested entirely with the lessor, not the leaseholder.
We then arranged for an expert survey. The expert confirmed that the door was insecure, inadequately fixed, and not functioning properly, and that several windows were defective, allowing excessive air infiltration. The findings supported a clear breach of the repairing covenants contained within the lease.
Armed with this evidence, we advanced the claim forcefully and set out what our client was entitled to: completion of all repairs and compensation for the lengthy period of inconvenience and distress.
The Outcome: Compensation Paid and Long Outstanding Repairs Finally Completed
The lessor failed to deal with the matter promptly, so we escalated the claim. We set out our valuation evidence, demonstrated the effect of the defects over time, and pressed for a settlement that truly reflected the disruption caused.
The claim proceeded through the pre-action and litigation stages, during which we made a formal offer to settle and invited the lessor to avoid further cost exposure.
Ultimately, the matter was resolved by agreement. Compensation was paid and arrangements were made to complete the long-outstanding works—finally giving the leaseholder the safe, functional home they should have had from the outset.
Why Leaseholders Trust MJV Solicitors When Their Lessor Won’t Listen
Leasehold disputes require precision. We understand the covenants, we understand the obligations, and we know exactly how to hold lessors to the terms of their own leases.
Our approach is simple: no nonsense, no delay, and no backing down where a leaseholder is being ignored. We gather the evidence quickly, drive the case forward and achieve results. That is why so many leaseholders turn to us when they need action—not excuses.
Need Help with a Leasehold Disrepair Issue?
If you are a leaseholder dealing with defective windows, doors, communal areas or any other issue your lessor is responsible for, our leasehold disrepair solicitors can help.
Contact us today on 01253 858231 or email claims@mjvlaw.co.uk for straightforward, effective legal support.
Read about some of our other successful leasehold disrepair claims, and how we helped:
- Leaseholder Secures £9,000 After Prolonged Leak from Upper Balcony
- Long Leaseholder Secures £5000 After Repeated Disrepair Issues
- Leaseholder Wins £7,900 Compensation for Damp and Water Ingress Caused by Freeholder’s Failure to Repair
- Croydon Tenant Wins £12,500+ for Severe Damp and Mould in Council Flat
- Damp, Mould and Draughty Windows in Maidstone Flat: Tenant Wins £2,250 in Compensation
