Compensation for poor repairs and conditions

You could ask for compensation if:

• your landlord does not do repairs in a reasonable time

• repairs are poor

• your home is not fit to live in

Council, housing association and private tenants can ask for compensation.

You could ask your landlord or agent for a rent reduction.

How to ask for compensation

Ask your landlord first.

Then you can:

• use a letting agent redress scheme if you rent through an agent

• complain to the Housing Ombudsman if you rent from a council or housing association

• take court action if your landlord does not agree to compensation

What you can get compensation for

You could claim for:

• inconvenience

• financial loss

• damage to belongings

• health problems caused or made worse by your housing conditions

Inconvenience

This could be:

• disruption to your daily life

• time spent waiting for builders or inspections

• not being able to use all the rooms in your home

The amount you could get depends on how the problems affect you and for how long.

Financial loss

You could ask for a refund if you spend money because of repair problems.

For example, if you have higher electric bills because a broken boiler has not been fixed.

Keep receipts and bills as proof.

Damage to belongings

You can ask for money to replace items that are damaged or destroyed:

• during repair works

• because of poor conditions

For example, if you have to throw away clothes or mattresses because of a damp problem.

Ill health

Problems like damp or broken heating can affect your physical and mental health.

The amount you can claim depends on how you are affected and for how long.

You can also claim for:

• loss of earnings if you cannot work

• extra expenses such as prescriptions or travel to hospital

Keep sick notes or hospital reports.

Repairs in council and housing association homes

From 27 October 2025 social landlords must deal with serious problems in your home within set timescales.

You could ask for compensation if you rent from a council or housing association and your landlord does not make your home safe in:

• 24 hours if there's an emergency hazard

• 5 working days from when they finish investigations if there's serious damp and mould

Talk to your landlord first

Ask your landlord for compensation before making a complaint or taking court action.

It can save time and money if you can reach an agreement.

Explain why you think you should get compensation.

Follow up conversations with a letter or email. Keep copies.

Complain to an ombudsman or redress scheme

An ombudsman or redress scheme is a free independent service that can resolve complaints.

They can order compensation in some cases.

You have to complain to your landlord or letting agent before you use these services.

You must usually complain within a year of your landlord's final response to the complaint.

Housing Ombudsman

Council or housing association tenants can complain to the Housing Ombudsman.

Redress schemes

Private renters using a letting agent can complain to a redress scheme.

All agents and property managers must be a member of one of the 2 redress schemes:

• Property Ombudsman (TPO)

• Property Redress Scheme (PRS)

Private landlords who manage their own properties do not have to join a redress scheme but some do.

Court action

You can take action to claim compensation during your tenancy or after it ends.

You must have reported the problem to your landlord during your tenancy.

You have up to 6 years to claim or 3 years for a personal injury claim. The time runs from when your landlord should have carried out the work.