What might trigger a housing disrepair claim from a tenant?

A housing disrepair claim from a tenant is primarily triggered by a landlord's failure to complete necessary repairs. This situation arises when the property is not maintained to a habitable standard, which is a legal obligation of landlords in many jurisdictions. For example, if a tenant reports issues such as plumbing problems, heating failures, or safety hazards and the landlord neglects to address these problems in a timely manner, the tenant has the grounds to make a housing disrepair claim.

In contrast, factors such as late rent payments, refusal to pay utilities, or changes to lease agreements typically do not pertain directly to a landlord's obligation to maintain the property. These factors might lead to other legal or financial implications within the landlord-tenant relationship, but they do not constitute a failure on the landlord’s part to fulfill their duty to keep the property in good repair. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the landlord's responsibility for ensuring that the living conditions are acceptable and safe for tenants, which is central to housing disrepair claims.