When you rent your home, you have the right to expect it to be safe, in good condition and free from serious disrepair. Under UK law, landlords have a legal duty to keep their properties fit for human habitation and to meet specific safety standards — covering the structure and exterior of the property, hot water, heating and sanitation. If your landlord fails to carry out repairs after being told about a problem, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
What counts as housing disrepair?
Compensation claims most commonly involve one or more of the following problems:
- Damp and mould — can cause respiratory issues and allergies.
- Structural damage — cracks in the walls, damaged roofs or broken windows.
- Plumbing issues — leaks or faulty drainage that lead to water damage.
- Electrical problems — unsafe wiring, exposed sockets or broken lighting.
- Heating failure — no working heating or hot water, particularly during the colder months.
Typical compensation by type of issue
The figures below are typical ranges for common categories of disrepair. Heating-failure awards tend to be higher for elderly or vulnerable tenants.
| Type of disrepair | Typical compensation range |
|---|---|
| Damp and mould | £500 – £10,000 |
| Structural damage | £1,000 – £20,000 |
| Plumbing problems | £500 – £5,000 |
| Electrical faults | £1,000 – £10,000 |
| Heating failure | £1,000 – £7,000 |
These ranges are a guide, not a guarantee. What you actually receive depends on how severe the disrepair is, how long it went unrepaired after your landlord was notified, and the impact on your health, belongings and daily life.
Rent refunds and inconvenience
Alongside an award for the disrepair itself, you may be able to recover a portion of your rent for periods when the property was uninhabitable — the amount reflects how serious the inconvenience was and how far the property’s habitability was reduced. For damp and mould specifically, awards typically work out at between 25% and 50% of the rent. Separate compensation for inconvenience can range from £250 to £5,000, depending on how much the problem disrupted your daily life.
What it comes down to
The compensation you can receive for housing disrepair depends on the severity of the problem, its impact on your health and how long it has persisted — awards can range from hundreds to thousands of pounds. Good documentation and early legal advice are the two things most likely to secure the compensation you’re entitled to.