Quick answer
Can I claim housing disrepair compensation?
You can claim if your landlord was notified of the problem, failed to repair it within a reasonable time, and the disrepair caused you loss or inconvenience. This applies to both social housing (council and housing association) and private tenants. You don't need to have left the property — you can claim while still living there.
🏠 All tenancy types
✓ While still in tenancy
⏱ 6 year limit
Free calculator
Housing Disrepair Compensation Calculator
Select the severity of the issue and enter your rent to estimate your general damages — the compensation for inconvenience and loss of enjoyment.
Housing Disrepair Calculator
Based on rent-reduction methodology used by UK courts
Select the severity that best matches your situation:
Minor
10–25%
Cosmetic damp, minor leaks, decoration damage, minor mould
Moderate
25–50%
Persistent damp/mould, heating failure, structural cracks, vermin
Severe
50–100%
Uninhabitable areas, category 1 hazards, structural instability, sewage
Also select all issues that apply:
💧 Damp & mould
🌡️ Heating failure
🏚️ Roof/structural
🚿 Plumbing
🪟 Windows/doors
⚡ Electrical faults
🐀 Vermin/pests
🌿 External/garden
£
Your total monthly rent payment
£
Damaged clothing, furniture, medical bills, etc.
General damages (rent reduction model)—
Health impact uplift—
Special damages (belongings/costs)—
Total estimated compensation—
Important: repairs can also be orderedIn addition to financial compensation, a court can order your landlord to carry out the repairs. This injunctive relief is often the most valuable outcome for tenants still in the property.
General damages estimated using rent-reduction methodology applied by UK county courts. Actual amounts depend on evidence of disrepair, medical impact, and the judge's assessment. Always consult a specialist solicitor before proceeding.
Free specialist assessment
You may be entitled to significant compensation and a court order for repairs
A specialist housing solicitor will assess your case, write to your landlord, and manage the claim — no win, no fee, no upfront costs.
No win, no fee
Compensation + repair order
Social & private landlords
Still in tenancy? Eligible
Your legal rights
What is your landlord legally required to do?
Multiple pieces of legislation impose repair obligations on landlords in England and Wales:
Section 11, Landlord & Tenant Act 1985
Requires landlords to maintain the structure and exterior, heating, hot water, and sanitation. Applies to all residential tenancies under 7 years.
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
Requires properties to be fit to live in throughout the tenancy. Covers 29 hazard categories including damp, cold, and structural instability.
Housing Health and Safety Rating System
HHSRS classifies hazards as Category 1 (most serious — landlord must remedy) or Category 2. Category 1 hazards include excess cold, damp, and structural collapse risks.
Decent Homes Standard (social housing)
Social housing must meet the Decent Homes Standard: reasonably modern facilities, thermal comfort, and no Category 1 hazards. Breaches by councils and HAs are actionable.
Evidence guide
What evidence do you need for a housing disrepair claim?
📋 Essential evidence
Written reports to the landlord — letters, emails, text messages, or portal messages reporting the issue. Date and keep copies of everything.
Photographs and video — timestamped photos of the disrepair from when it first appeared to the present. Multiple angles, showing context.
Landlord's response (or lack of it) — any written responses, repair schedules, or records of them failing to attend.
Medical evidence — if the disrepair affected your health, a GP letter or medical records linking the condition to the property are very valuable.
Expert surveyor's report — optional, but a surveyor's report confirming the disrepair and its cause significantly strengthens a claim.
Receipts for damaged property — photos and purchase receipts for any belongings damaged by the disrepair (e.g. clothing damaged by mould).
Common claim types
Typical housing disrepair claims and payouts
Issue typeAvg. durationRent reductionTypical payout
Severe damp & black mould12–24 months30–50%£2,800–£6,000
Heating / boiler failure (winter)3–9 months35–60%£1,500–£4,000
Structural cracks / subsidence12+ months40–75%£3,500–£10,000+
Vermin / pest infestation6–18 months25–45%£1,500–£5,000
Roof leaks / water ingress6–24 months30–60%£2,000–£7,000
Broken windows / doors3–12 months10–25%£500–£2,000
Figures represent general damages only. Add special damages (damaged belongings, medical costs) and health impact uplifts for total claim value.
FAQs
Housing disrepair — frequently asked questions
Can I claim while still living in the property?+
Yes — in fact, most housing disrepair claims are made by tenants still in the property. You can claim compensation for the period the disrepair existed and, crucially, get a court order requiring your landlord to carry out the repairs. You do not need to have moved out to make a valid claim.
Will my landlord evict me if I make a claim?+
Retaliatory eviction in response to a disrepair complaint is illegal. The Deregulation Act 2015 prevents landlords from serving a Section 21 'no-fault' eviction notice within 6 months of you making a formal complaint about the property's condition to the council or local authority. Making a legal claim through a solicitor does not affect your tenancy rights.
Does my landlord need to be aware of the problem?+
Yes — notification is a legal requirement. The landlord must be aware of the disrepair before they can be held liable for failing to repair it. This is why written notification (email, letter, text message) is so important. Keep dated records of every report. If you reported it verbally, try to follow up in writing to create a paper trail.
What counts as a 'reasonable time' for repairs?+
There is no fixed statutory timescale, but courts consider: the urgency of the issue (a heating failure in winter requires urgent action — days, not weeks); the complexity of the repair; whether the landlord took any action at all. Emergency repairs (no heating, sewage, structural danger) should be addressed within 24–48 hours. Standard repairs within 28 days is a common benchmark for social housing.
Can I claim for mould that makes me ill?+
Yes. If you can evidence a link between the damp/mould in your property and a health condition — typically through a GP letter or medical records — your claim will include a personal injury element in addition to the property disrepair element. Conditions like respiratory illness, skin conditions, and worsening asthma can all support an enhanced award.
Related guides
Related housing and property guides
Disclaimer: Compensation estimates are based on rent-reduction methodology used by UK courts. Actual awards depend on evidence of disrepair, landlord notification, medical impact, and judicial assessment. This is not legal advice. Always consult a qualified housing solicitor.