How much compensation can you get for housing disrepair?
Most successful UK housing disrepair claims settle between £1,500 and £15,000. What you receive depends on how bad the disrepair was, how long your council or housing association left it, and what it cost you in health, comfort and belongings.
The figures on this page are indicative ranges based on typical UK settlements — they aren't a quote. The only way to know what your claim is worth is to have it reviewed.
Payout bands
Typical compensation by type of disrepair
Claims often involve more than one issue — damp caused by a leak, or pests entering through a structural gap — and those combine into a single, larger award.
| Type of disrepair | Typical award | What moves the figure |
|---|---|---|
| Damp & mould | £1,500 – £12,000+ | Small areas of surface mould in one room sit at the lower end. Widespread black mould affecting bedrooms, ruined belongings and documented breathing problems push awards toward the top of the band and beyond. |
| Leaks & water damage | £1,000 – £10,000 | A short-lived leak that was fixed properly is worth less than months of a recurring roof or pipework leak that damaged flooring, furniture and electrics, or forced you to stop using a room. |
| Structural cracks & unsafe fabric | £2,000 – £15,000 | Cracked walls or ceilings, sagging floors, failing windows and doors and unsafe stairs. Awards rise sharply where the defect made part of the home unusable or unsafe. |
| Infestations (rats, mice, insects) | £1,000 – £9,000 | Pests entering through unrepaired gaps, drains or shared voids. Length of infestation, contamination of food and bedding, and sleep disturbance are the biggest drivers. |
| No heating or hot water | £1,000 – £8,000 | Broken boilers and heating left unrepaired, especially over winter or where children, older people or people with health conditions live in the property. |
Indicative ranges only. Every claim is assessed on its own facts and evidence.
What affects your payout
Five things that decide what your claim is worth
Compensation is made up of general damages (the discomfort and any ill health), a rent-based element, and special damages for what the disrepair actually cost you.
Get my claim valuedHow long it went unrepaired
Compensation is usually calculated in part as a percentage of the rent you paid — commonly in the region of 25% to 50% of rent for the period the home was in disrepair. Longer means more.
Health impact
Asthma, chest infections, skin conditions, anxiety and sleep loss increase the general damages part of your award, especially where there are GP or hospital records.
Financial losses
Ruined furniture, carpets, clothing and electricals, higher energy bills, and money you spent on dehumidifiers, cleaning or temporary accommodation are claimed on top as special damages.
How much of the home was affected
One damp patch in a hallway is treated very differently to a bedroom or living room that became unusable for months.
Your evidence and reports
Dated photos, repair reference numbers, emails, letters and complaint records are what turn a plausible claim into a well-valued one.
Timeline
How long until you're paid?
- 01STEP 01
Free check — 60 seconds
Tell us about the damage, your landlord and how long it's gone on.
- 02STEP 02
Case review — within 24 hours
An SRA-regulated housing solicitor reviews your evidence and gives you a realistic view of value.
- 03STEP 03
Landlord put on notice — weeks
A formal letter of claim and an independent survey. Many landlords carry out the repairs at this stage.
- 04STEP 04
Settlement — usually 6 to 12 months
Repairs plus compensation. Most claims settle without ever reaching a courtroom.
FAQ
Compensation questions tenants ask
Still unsure what your claim is worth? Start the free check — a solicitor will come back to you within 24 hours.
How much compensation will I get for housing disrepair?
Most successful UK housing disrepair claims settle between roughly £1,500 and £15,000. The award normally combines a percentage of the rent you paid while the home was in disrepair (commonly around 25% to 50% for the affected period), general damages for the discomfort and any health impact, and special damages for belongings and costs you lost.
How is housing disrepair compensation calculated?
There are three parts: general damages for inconvenience and ill health, a rent-based element reflecting the reduced value of the home while it was in disrepair, and special damages reimbursing proven financial losses such as damaged furniture, clothing and increased energy bills.
How much compensation for damp and mould in a council house?
Damp and mould claims commonly settle between £1,500 and £12,000. Awards at the top of that range usually involve widespread mould over a long period, ruined possessions and documented health effects such as asthma or repeated chest infections.
How long does a housing disrepair claim take?
Most claims settle within 6 to 12 months. Urgent repairs can often be secured far sooner, because landlords frequently carry out the works once solicitors are formally involved.
Do I have to pay anything to claim?
No. Claims are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis by SRA-regulated solicitors, so if your claim is unsuccessful you pay nothing.
Can I claim if the repairs have now been done?
Yes. You can normally still claim for the period you lived with the disrepair, provided you reported it and are within the limitation period — generally six years for the breach of contract element and three years for personal injury.
Will claiming affect my tenancy?
No. It is unlawful for a council or housing association to evict you for making a legitimate disrepair claim.
Find out what your disrepair claim could be worth
Free, confidential and no obligation. No Win, No Fee — you only pay if your claim succeeds.