Living with mould, damp, or broken heating? You don’t just deserve a repair—you are legally entitled to money back.
Under UK law (specifically the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018), landlords (both private and councils) must keep your home safe and habitable. If they fail to fix issues after you report them, you can claim “damages” (compensation) for the inconvenience and stress.
Use our calculator below to estimate exactly how much you could claim before you speak to your landlord.
The Compensation Calculator
Enter your rent and the severity of the issue to see your estimated payout.
Housing Disrepair Compensation Calculator
Note: This is an estimate based on UK legal precedents (Wallace v Manchester City Council). Courts decide final amounts.
How is Compensation Calculated? (The Legal Matrix)
If you are wondering where these numbers come from, courts use a specific formula based on English Case Law (specifically Wallace v Manchester City Council).
They do not just guess a number. They calculate the “Loss of Value” of your home as a percentage of your rent for the months you suffered.
The “Severity” Matrix Use this table to check which category your issue falls into:
| Severity Level | Typical Issues | Compensation (% of Rent) |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Minor damp patches, sticking windows, loose plaster, small leaks. | 10% – 15% |
| Moderate | Mould in one room, broken boiler (in summer), minor roof leaks. | 20% – 35% |
| Severe | No heating (in winter), severe mould in bedrooms, pest infestation. | 35% – 50% |
| Uninhabitable | Flooding, sewage leaks, dangerous wiring (Total loss of use). | 100% |
(Swipe left to view full table on mobile)
The Formula
If you want to do the math manually, here is the equation solicitors use:
Monthly Rent × Severity % × Months of Delay = General Damages
Example:
You pay £800 rent.
You have had severe mould in the bedroom (40% reduction) for 6 months.
£800 × 0.40 = £320 (The amount of rent you shouldn’t have paid).
£320 × 6 months = £1,920 Total Compensation.
Can I Claim Extra? (Special Damages) Yes. The calculator above estimates “General Damages” (for the stress/inconvenience). You can add “Special Damages” on top for financial losses:
Damaged Items: If mould ruined a mattress or sofa (Keep receipts or photos).
Higher Bills: If a broken window caused your heating bill to spike (Compare bills to the previous year).
Health Issues: Fixed sums (£500–£3,000) can be awarded if the damp caused asthma or chest infections (Medical evidence required).
Free Template: The “Letter Before Claim”
Do not start by suing them. Courts expect you to try to settle first. Send this formal letter to your landlord or council housing officer. It shows you know the law and have calculated your exact claim.
Copy and paste this text:
Subject: Letter Before Claim – Compensation for Housing Disrepair – [Your Address]
To [Landlord/Council Name],
I am writing regarding the ongoing disrepair at [Your Address], specifically [List Issues: e.g., Penetrating Damp in Bedroom, Broken Boiler].
Despite my previous reports on [Date 1] and [Date 2], these issues remain unresolved. This puts you in breach of Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
Claim Calculation: Due to the severity of the issue, the property has been in a state of disrepair for [Number] months. Based on current legal guidelines for [Mild/Severe] disrepair, I calculate the loss of rental value to be [Percentage]% of the rent.
Monthly Rent: £[Amount]
Reduction Claimed: [Percentage]%
Duration: [Number] months
Total General Damages: £[Amount from Calculator]
Special Damages: £[Amount for damaged items/bills]
Total Settlement Sought: £[Total Sum]
I am open to settling this matter amicably to avoid court costs. Please remit this payment and provide a firm schedule of works for repairs within 14 days. If I do not receive a satisfactory response, I will progress this claim via the County Court.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord evict me for claiming?
If you are a private tenant with an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, you might be worried about a Section 21 “Revenge Eviction.” Protection: If you report the issue to your Local Council (Environmental Health) and they serve an “Improvement Notice” on the landlord, the landlord cannot evict you for 6 months. Always report to the Council first if you fear eviction.
How far back can I claim?
You can claim for disrepair issues going back 6 years (under the Statute of Limitations). However, you must prove that you told the landlord about the issue at the time (emails, texts, or letters).
Do I need a solicitor?
Claims under £10,000: You can usually handle this yourself in the Small Claims Court using the letter above.
Claims involving health issues: If the mould made you sick, or the claim is complex, many “No Win No Fee” solicitors will take the case. They usually take 25% of your payout, but they handle all the paperwork.
(Sources: Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, Shelter – Compensation for Disrepair, Citizens Advice – Repairs in Private Rented Housing)
We are not solicitors. This guide explains your statutory rights under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Compensation amounts are estimates based on legal precedents.