How is housing disrepair compensation calculated?

There is no fixed price list and no set tariff. Here is how compensation is actually worked out, in plain English.

Short answer

There is no fixed amount. Compensation depends entirely on the facts of your case, and the figure is a matter for your solicitor and, ultimately, the court or a negotiated settlement. Most claims combine general damages (for the loss of use of your home, often assessed as a proportion of your rent for that period) with special damages (money you lost or spent, and damaged belongings). This page is general information, not legal advice or a valuation of your claim.

UK Housing Claims is a free lead-generation service and a trading name of DVC Group Limited. We are not a law firm and we do not give legal advice. We connect eligible tenants in England and Wales with SRA-regulated solicitors who assess and run claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. Any figure mentioned below is illustrative only and is never a promise of what you will receive.

There is no fixed amount

Every home, every household and every period of disrepair is different, so there is no standard payout. As the Housing Ombudsman puts it, no two cases are the same and the remedy will be different in every case. A solicitor values your claim on the specific evidence, and the final figure is agreed in settlement or decided by a court.

The two main parts of a disrepair claim

Most housing disrepair claims are made up of two elements:

General damages: compensation for the loss of amenity, meaning the loss of full use and enjoyment of your home while it was in disrepair.
Special damages: compensation for actual money you have lost or spent, and for damaged belongings.

Where a health condition has been caused or made worse, a claim may also include a personal injury element.

General damages and loss of amenity

General damages recognise that you did not get the full benefit of the home you were paying rent for. When the courts assess this, it is often worked out as a proportion of the rent you paid for the period the home was in disrepair. The more serious the problem and the more of your home that was affected, the higher that proportion tends to be. Where a room could not be used at all, the proportion for that period can be higher still.

This is a general framework used by the courts and is not a calculator. The actual proportion, the relevant period, and the final figure are all matters for your solicitor to assess on the evidence. Factors that typically affect general damages:

Severity

How serious the disrepair is, for example widespread damp and mould versus a single minor defect.

Duration

How long the problem went unresolved after the landlord was told.

Extent

How much of your home was affected, and whether any rooms became unusable.

Impact on daily life

Inconvenience, disruption, distress and worry, and the effect on your household, including any vulnerable or young occupants.

Special damages: your out-of-pocket losses

Special damages cover money you can show you lost or spent because of the disrepair. Common examples include:

Belongings damaged or destroyed, such as clothing, furniture, carpets, curtains and bedding.
Higher energy bills, for example from running heating or a dehumidifier to fight damp.
Replacement costs and extra spending forced on you by the disrepair, such as eating out because a kitchen could not be used.
Loss of earnings in some circumstances.

Keep receipts, photos and records wherever you can, because special damages need to be evidenced. See our guide on what evidence you need.

Personal injury where health was affected

If damp, mould, cold or another defect caused a new health problem or made an existing one worse, a claim may include compensation for that injury. This part usually needs medical evidence, such as GP records or a medical report. Whether a personal injury element applies, and its value, is assessed by the solicitor with appropriate medical evidence.

Illustrative example only

Not a promise or a valuation. If a home was seriously affected by damp for many months and belongings were ruined, a claim might combine a proportion of rent for that period with the cost of replacing those items. The actual outcome depends entirely on the evidence and is a matter for the solicitor and the court.

What will not change the outcome

The presence of a national average, a figure you saw online, or a neighbour's result does not set the value of your claim. Only the evidence in your own case does. Be cautious of anyone who promises a specific sum before reviewing your situation.

Common questions

Is there a fixed amount of compensation for housing disrepair?

No. There is no set tariff. Compensation depends on the facts of each case and is a matter for the solicitor and the court.

How are general damages worked out?

They are often assessed by the courts as a proportion of the rent paid for the period the home was in disrepair, based on severity, duration, and how much of the home was affected.

Can I claim for damaged belongings?

Yes, as special damages, where you can evidence the loss with photos, receipts or records.

Sources and further reading

This page is general information, not legal advice or a valuation of any claim. UK Housing Claims is a free lead-generation service and is not a law firm. See also what evidence you need and how the claim process works.