How Much Compensation Can You Get for Damp and Mould?
One of the most common questions tenants ask us is: how much compensation can I get for living with damp and mould? The honest answer is that every case is different. There is no fixed tariff, and anyone who quotes you a specific figure before knowing the details of your situation is guessing.
What we can explain is how compensation is calculated, what factors increase or decrease the amount, and what types of damages you may be entitled to.
How Housing Disrepair Compensation Is Calculated
Compensation in a housing disrepair claim is made up of several parts. You may be entitled to one or all of these depending on your circumstances:
General Damages (Loss of Enjoyment)
This compensates you for the reduced quality of your home during the period of disrepair. Courts typically calculate this as a percentage reduction of your rent for the time you have lived with the problem. The worse the disrepair and the longer it has lasted, the higher the percentage.
For example, if damp and mould affects one bedroom, the reduction might be 15–25% of rent. If it affects multiple rooms and is severe enough to make parts of your home unusable, it could be higher. The calculation runs from the date your landlord had notice of the problem.
Special Damages (Financial Losses)
This covers out-of-pocket expenses caused by the disrepair:
- Damaged or destroyed belongings (furniture, clothing, electronics)
- Increased heating costs from trying to combat damp
- Cleaning products, dehumidifiers, or mould treatment kits you purchased
- Temporary accommodation costs if your home became uninhabitable
- Redecorating costs you incurred
To claim special damages, you will need evidence — receipts, bank statements, or photographs of damaged items.
Personal Injury
If damp and mould has caused or worsened a health condition, you may also receive compensation for personal injury. Common conditions linked to prolonged damp and mould exposure include:
- Asthma and respiratory infections
- Allergic rhinitis and sinusitis
- Eczema and other skin conditions
- Anxiety and depression caused by living conditions
Personal injury claims require medical evidence. Your solicitor will arrange for you to see a medical expert who will prepare a report linking your condition to the damp and mould in your home.
What Factors Affect the Amount?
The key factors courts consider include:
- Severity — how bad the damp and mould is, measured by an independent surveyor
- Duration — how long you have lived with the problem since your landlord was notified
- Extent — how many rooms are affected and whether any are unusable
- Health impact — whether you or your family members (especially children) have developed health problems
- Landlord's response — whether they ignored complaints, attempted inadequate repairs, or failed to respond at all
Try Our Claim Calculator
For a rough indication of what your claim might be worth, try our free housing disrepair claim calculator. It asks you a few questions about your situation and gives you an estimated range. It is not a guarantee, but it gives you a starting point before speaking to a solicitor.
Court Claims vs Housing Ombudsman
If you are a social housing tenant (council or housing association), you may also have the option of complaining through the Housing Ombudsman. The Ombudsman can order your landlord to pay compensation and carry out repairs, but the amounts tend to be lower than court awards. The Ombudsman route is free and does not require a solicitor.
A court claim through a solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis typically results in higher compensation because it includes general damages, special damages, and personal injury where applicable.
What Happens to the Repairs?
Compensation is only one part of a housing disrepair claim. The other part — and often the more important one for tenants — is getting the repairs done. As part of the claim, your landlord will be required to carry out the necessary repair works identified by the surveyor. This is a separate obligation from the compensation.
Need help with your housing disrepair?
If you're a tenant in Greater Manchester dealing with any of the issues discussed in this article, you may be entitled to compensation. Our solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis.