Every tenant deserves to live in a safe and well-maintained home, yet in Blackburn, many renters still struggle with poor living conditions. The Blackburn with Darwen Housing Strategy (2024) disclosed that a large share of private tenants face property maintenance issues such as damp, mould, leaks, and broken heating systems, all of which can make a home unsafe and unhealthy. These conditions not only make things less comfortable but can also lead to stress, illness, and financial hardship.
Thankfully, UK law is on your side. Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, tenants have the right to get housing disrepair compensation when their landlord fails to maintain a habitable home. If you are struggling with such issues, it’s time to get legal help and contact Housing Disrepair Experts.
This article explains exactly how much compensation for housing disrepair in Blackburn you could claim, what factors determine the amount, and how to ensure you get the fair settlement you deserve.
What Housing Disrepair Means for Blackburn Tenants
Housing disrepair refers to a situation where your landlord neglects to maintain your house in good condition as promised in your rental agreement. This could include property maintenance issues like leaking roofs, broken windows, or mould growth. In Blackburn, where many homes are older, property condition deterioration is common. Issues like damp, mould, leaks, and faulty heating systems are frequent complaints.
Recent local data shows the scale of the risk: Blackburn with Darwen’s 2024 housing scrutiny report notes that around 39% of households live in rented accommodation, which increases the number of people exposed to poor housing conditions.
According to the data provided by the national census, private renting rose to about 20% of households by 2021. This means more tenants rely on landlords for safe homes. The legal council has explained complaint routes and enforcement powers in its Local Enforcement Plan (May 2024) to address unsafe rentals and ensure landlords take timely action.
Read more: How much compensation for housing disrepair in Bradford?
The Impact of Housing Disrepair on Blackburn Residents
A home that is not maintained well not only has an impact on its looks. But also, such conditions may lead to physical suffering, particularly in children and senior citizens. They also cause anxiety and stress, and can make the families relocate.
In some cases, deterioration is associated with chronic health issues, which cause pain, suffering, and comfort deprivation in the lives of tenants. The cold and damp climate in Blackburn aggravates such problems and increases the risk of diseases. Consulting a lawyer initially allows tenants to know their rights, receive reasonable compensation, and secure their families.
What Counts as Disrepair in a Rented Home?
Disrepair is any problem that renders a rental property an unsafe and uncomfortable place to reside. Examples of disrepair in housing conditions include:
| Minor Disrepair | Major Disrepair |
| Peeling paint or loose tiles | Damp issues, mould, and leaks |
| Broken door handles | Structural cracks, or subsidence |
| Small electrical faults | Faulty heating, burst pipes, or gas |
| Dripping taps | Infestation or damaged roofing |
If your landlord ignores repeated complaints about such issues, it becomes a failure to repair the property. Even if you’re on housing benefits, you still have full tenant rights to claim compensation for poor living conditions and loss of amenity compensation.
In 2018, a notable case in the Leyland area highlighted how seriously local authorities treat such neglect. Inspections showed dangerous electrical systems and inefficient heating and the landlord company was fined. This shows that irresponsible landlords who do not offer safe habitation can have severe consequences.
What Compensation Amounts Can Blackburn Tenants Receive?
The amount of housing disrepair compensation you can get depends on how serious the repair issues are and how long you’ve lived with them. Typically, the compensation percentage for disrepair is calculated as a share of your rent.
| Condition Severity | Compensation % of Rent | Example (Rent £800/month) |
| Minor inconvenience | 10% | £80/month |
| Moderate discomfort | 25% | £200/month |
| Serious disrepair | 40% | £320/month |
| Property uninhabitable | 100% | £800/month |
If you paid £800 rent for a year and your property condition made it only half livable, you could receive around £4,800 in compensation.
Compensation also includes other factors like:
- Property repair cost for fixing the damage
- Legal costs linked to the housing disrepair claim
- Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by poor conditions
Even if you didn’t personally pay rent because of housing benefits, you may still qualify for uninhabitable property compensation. To make the most out of your claim, you must always consult housing-disrepair solicitors who are conversant with tenant rights in Blackburn.
A Blackburn landlord was prosecuted and given a suspended sentence after being found to have neglected gas safety by providing unsafe boiler and oven conditions to tenants.
Read more: How Pre Action Protocols Boost Your Housing Claim
What Is the Eligibility for Housing Disrepair Compensation?
In order to claim disrepair compensation for housing, there are some requirements:
- You are either a present or a former tenant of the property
- During your tenancy, the damage occurred
- You informed your landlord regarding the problem
- The landlord failed to act within a reasonable time for repairs
- You experienced rental property damage or health problems
Claims can be made by tenants on housing benefits and compensation schemes. You normally have a maximum of six years to claim against the landlord; the earlier you do it, the better the evidence you can get.
How Is Housing Disrepair Compensation Calculated?
The tenant compensation you are entitled to is determined by three broad factors: the period during which the disrepair existed, the effect on your comfort, and the rent you have paid. Solicitors usually calculate it as a percentage of rent for the affected period. This is known as the rent percentage compensation.
For instance, if your home had serious mould for 12 months and rent was £1,000/month, at 40% compensation, you’d get £4,800. The compensation amount may also include legal costs, damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity, and expenses from finding alternative accommodation if needed.
Read more: How Housing Disrepair Claims Can Help You Secure Urgent Repairs
Can I Claim if Repairs Were Already Done?
Yes, even if your landlord has now fixed the issues, you can still claim for the period when the property was in disrepair. What matters is that you experienced poor living conditions before the fix. Keep evidence such as:
- Photos or videos of the disrepair
- Emails or texts proving complaints
- Medical or inspection reports
This proof supports your housing disrepair claim and ensures fair tenant compensation calculation for the time you lived in unsafe conditions. The local council recommends that tenants first report the issue through the proper complaint channels. This demonstrates that you followed the process and supports your argument.
Why Clients Across Blackburn Trust Housing Disrepair Experts?
Residents trust Housing Disrepair Experts because they combine local expertise with a caring approach. Our team handles every housing repair claim with honesty, efficiency, and skill.
Clients appreciate us for:
- Fast claim processing and updates
- Expert guidance on landlord responsibilities
- Help recover full compensation for poor living conditions
- Transparent advice from trusted housing disrepair solicitors
This trusted reputation across Blackburn ensures tenants receive the justice they deserve.
Contact Housing Disrepair Experts today to learn how much compensation for housing disrepair in Blackburn you could receive. It’s your right to live in a safe, well-maintained home, and your landlord’s duty to make it happen.
