How UK housing disrepair compensation is calculated
In the UK, county courts calculate General Damages for housing disrepair as a percentage reduction (abatement) of rent paid during the period the landlord had notice of defects.
Tenants can also recover Special Damages for damaged personal possessions (mattresses, furniture, carpets, clothing) and extra heating bills incurred running electric heaters.
Worked example: 9-month mould disrepair claim
A tenant paying £950 monthly rent where the landlord ignored persistent mould for 9 months (£8,550 total rent) with moderate severity (30% abatement = £2,565), a 10% health uplift for aggravated asthma (£256.50), £650 in damaged belongings, and £300 extra heating receives total compensation of £3,772.
Inputs for the housing disrepair compensation calculator
Contractual Rent
Your monthly contractual rent (including any Universal Credit housing element).
Disrepair Duration
Months landlord failed to complete repairs after receiving written notice.
Defect Severity
Severity of defects (mild 15%, moderate 30%, severe 50%, or uninhabitable 75%).
Health Impact
Whether damp, mould, or cold worsened medical conditions such as asthma.
Damaged Possessions
Replacement value of clothes, furniture, or mattresses ruined by damp.
Extra Utility Costs
Additional electricity spent running dehumidifiers or supplementary heaters.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
Housing disrepair compensation calculator questions
Can I claim disrepair compensation if rent is paid by housing benefit?
Yes. Courts calculate rent abatement against the full contractual rent of the tenancy regardless of whether you paid directly or through Universal Credit.
Can my landlord evict me for claiming housing disrepair?
Under the Deregulation Act 2015, retaliatory Section 21 eviction notices are invalid if the council has served an improvement notice on your landlord.