Housing Disrepair in London: A Simple Guide to Compensation

Housing Disrepair
17
Dec

If you’re renting a property in London and living with issues like damp, mould, leaks or electrical faults, you are legally protected – and you may be entitled to compensation.

What Is Housing Disrepair?

Housing disrepair means your landlord has failed to fix issues they are legally responsible for – even after you reported them.

These issues affect your health, safety and daily living.

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords must keep your home:

  • Safe
  • Structurally sound
  • Free from damp & mould
  • Equipped with working electrics, heating and plumbing

If they fail, you can start a housing disrepair claim and request compensation.

Step 1: Identify If You Have a Valid Housing Disrepair Issue

1.1 Damp & Mould

This is the most common cause of housing disrepair claims in London.
Often caused by leaks, poor ventilation or structural faults.

Effects include:

  • Breathing issues
  • Asthma worsening
  • Damage to walls, furniture or clothes

1.2 Leaks & Plumbing Faults

Examples:

  • Roof leaks
  • Burst pipes
  • Boiler failure
  • Continuous bathroom/kitchen leaks

If your landlord ignores these, you can claim compensation.

1.3 Electrical Problems

Serious safety concerns such as:

  • Exposed wiring
  • Faulty sockets
  • Short circuits
  • Regular power disruptions

1.4 Structural Damage

This includes:

  • Cracked walls
  • Broken flooring
  • Damaged windows/doors
  • Loose tiles or fittings

1.5 Pest Infestations

If caused by the building, not your lifestyle.

Step 2: How Much Compensation Can You Get?

This is where tenants look for clarity – and often search for a housing disrepair compensation calculator.

While calculators give rough estimates, real payouts depend on:

2.1 Severity of Disrepair

How much it affected your comfort, health or use of rooms.

2.2 Duration

The longer the issue existed after you reported it → the higher the payout.

2.3 Loss of Use of Space

If your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom became unusable.

2.4 Damage to Personal Belongings

You can claim the cost of repairing or replacing items.

Average Housing Disrepair Compensation in London

Typical payout range:
 ➡ £1,000 – £15,000+

Most cases fall between:
 ➡ 25%–50% of your annual rent

A solicitor can give a more accurate estimate based on your circumstances — much more reliable than a basic online compensation calculator.

Step 3: Your Rights as a Tenant in London

Landlords must legally:

 ✔ Fix damp, mould, leaks and plumbing issues
 ✔ Maintain heating & electricity
 ✔ Repair structural problems
 ✔ Respond to repair requests within a reasonable time

They cannot evict or threaten you for reporting issues – this is considered retaliatory eviction and is illegal.

Step 4: How to Start a Housing Disrepair Claim (Step-by-Step)

4.1 Report the Problem

Always report in writing: email, WhatsApp or your council portal.

4.2 Give Reasonable Time to Respond

14–28 days is typical, depending on the severity.

4.3 Gather Evidence

Keep:

  • Photos & videos
  • Medical letters (if mould affects health)
  • Dates when you complained
  • Communication screenshots

4.4 Contact a Housing Disrepair Solicitor

They will:

  • Send a formal Letter of Claim
  • Arrange an expert survey
  • Calculate your compensation
  • Negotiate with the landlord
  • Handle court proceedings (if necessary)

Most offer No Win No Fee services.

Step 5: How Long Does a Claim Take?

Average timelines:

  • Simple issues: 1–3 months
  • Moderate cases: 3–6 months
  • Severe disrepair: 6–12 months

Step 6: Why You Should Use a Solicitor (Not Do It Yourself)

You get:

✔ Larger compensation
 ✔ Faster repairs
 ✔ Proper representation
 ✔ Protection against landlord pressure
 ✔ Professionally documented evidence

FAQs 

Q1: Can I get compensation for damp and mould in London?
 Yes. If the landlord ignored your complaints, you can claim repairs + compensation.

Q2: How do housing disrepair claims work?
 You report the issue, gather evidence, and a solicitor helps you claim compensation and get repairs done.

Q3: What does the housing disrepair compensation calculator show?
 It provides an average estimate, but real compensation depends on severity, duration and evidence.

Q4: Will I pay anything upfront?
 Most solicitors offer No Win No Fee.

Q5: Can the landlord evict me for complaining?
 No. It is illegal under UK law.

Final Thoughts: Take Action Before Your Condition Gets Worse

If you’re living with damp, mould, leaks, pest problems or structural issues, you don’t have to tolerate it.

You’re legally protected – and you may be entitled to compensation plus urgent repairs.

For free advice, fast repairs and help with housing disrepair claims, contact Tenant Housing Disrepair today.

Get expert support on a No Win No Fee basis.

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Damp and mould can cause serious health and structural problems in a property. If your landlord is responsible for fixing the issue and they have failed to do so, you may be entitled to compensation.

Document the issue, make a claim to your landlord or the courts, and get our experts advice. Your landlord is responsible for providing a safe and habitable living environment, and compensation may be due if they have failed in this obligation.

If you are a tenant and experiencing leaks in the ceiling, roof or tiles, it is likely that your landlord is responsible for fixing the issue. A leaking roof or ceiling can cause significant damage to a property, including water damage, mould growth, and even structural damage. If your landlord has failed to address the issue and you have suffered loss or damage as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

To claim compensation, you should document the issue, including any damage or loss you have suffered, and take photos or videos to demonstrate the extent of the problem. You can then make a claim to your landlord or the courts.

Living in a property with structural defects can be a serious safety risk. If you are a tenant in social housing and your landlord has neglected to repair such defects, resulting in an unsafe or unhealthy living environment, we are here to assist you.

Our team of housing disrepair specialists can help you claim for the necessary repairs and compensation if your landlord has failed to address the structural defects even after being notified of the issue.

We operate on a no win, no fee basis for all social housing disrepair claims, ensuring that you have access to legal assistance without incurring any upfront costs.

If you are experiencing disrepair issues in your home, don't hesitate to reach out to us to see if we can help.

Under the law, your landlord is responsible for ensuring that your rental property is properly maintained. This includes addressing any pest or vermin infestations that may arise, as these can pose serious health and safety risks.

In some cases, the landlord may be held liable for the infestation if it was caused by a pre-existing disrepair issue, such as a hole in the building that the landlord failed to repair. However, if the vermin were present when you moved into the property, the responsibility may fall on you as the tenant.

It's crucial to report any pest or vermin issues to your landlord as soon as possible and to keep detailed records of all communication regarding the matter. This includes any letters, texts, or emails exchanged between you and your landlord, as well as notes from any phone or in-person conversations. Gathering photographic evidence of the infestation can also strengthen your case.

Remember that as a tenant, you have the right to a safe and habitable living space, and your landlord is obligated to take action to address any issues that may arise.

As a tenant, you have the right to expect that your landlord will keep the heating and hot water system in good condition. This includes ensuring that the boiler is checked regularly and a gas safety certificate is produced at least once a year.

If you report a fault with the heating or hot water and you are left without either, your landlord is expected to rectify the problem within a reasonable timeframe, typically within a few days. Failure to do so could result in you being entitled to compensation for any inconvenience caused by your landlord's failure to comply with their legal obligations.

In addition to claiming compensation for any inconvenience, you may also be able to claim for any additional costs incurred as a result of the disrepair. For example, if you have to spend extra money on heating due to the faulty system, you may be able to claim this back from your landlord.

It is important to remember that as a tenant, you have certain rights and responsibilities, and your landlord has a legal obligation to ensure that the property is kept in a safe and habitable condition. If you have any concerns about the condition of your heating or hot water system, you should contact your landlord immediately.

Poorly maintained home can cause physical or mental health issue to you and your family. The Disrepair can cause a direct injury, a direct health issue or exacerbate an ongoing condition. A gas leak, water leak, mould, damp, a broken step or a vermin/ mice infestation are all examples of disrepair that can cause health issues to you and your family . If you or members of your family have suffered from any health issues as a direct result of the poor conditions in your home, we want to help you.

You deserve to be happy and healthy in the place that you live, your health is paramount and at times you may not be sure if your health is affected, Our experts can help.