How much compensation could you get?

The main parts of a claim

1. Compensation for living with the disrepair

This is usually the biggest part. Courts and landlords often work it out as a percentage of your rent for the period the problem should have been fixed but wasn't. The worse the problem, and the more of your home it affected, the higher the percentage. A single small issue might mean a modest percentage; a home that was seriously damp and mouldy throughout for years would be much higher.

2. Damaged belongings

Items ruined by damp, mould or leaks, such as clothes, bedding, carpets and furniture. These are usually valued at what they were worth when damaged, not the cost of brand-new replacements. Damaged belongings.

3. Extra costs

Money you had to spend because of the disrepair, like running heaters, dehumidifiers, cleaning products, or washing clothes elsewhere.

4. Effects on health

If the conditions caused or worsened a health problem, this can be claimed too, usually with medical evidence. Mould and your health.

A simple example

Say your rent is £500 a month and your landlord should have fixed serious damp in your bedroom 2 years ago. If a court decided the problem was worth 20% of your rent, that part alone would be 24 months × £500 × 20% = £2,400, before belongings, costs or any health claim. This is only an illustration: every case is different, and the solicitor will tell you what yours might be worth.

What affects how much you get

• how serious the problems were, and how many rooms they affected;
• how long they went on after you reported them;
• your evidence: photos, dates, reference numbers and receipts;
• any rent arrears, which the landlord may ask to be taken off. Rent arrears.

The repairs matter too

A claim isn't just about money. The solicitor will push for the repairs to be done properly, and a court can order your landlord to do them.