Damp, Mould and Wall Problems: A Tenant’s Guide
Learn your rights and get repairs done for damp, mould and wall problems. Understand landlord duties and how to claim…
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No win, no fee housing disrepair claims
Living with damp, mould, leaks or no heating? Your landlord has to fix it.
If you rent from a council, housing association or private landlord and repairs have been ignored, we can help you get the work done and claim the compensation you may be owed. No win, no fee.
- No win, no fee
- Free, no-obligation check
- Council, housing association & private tenants
- We deal with your landlord for you
Could you claim?
You may have a claim if all three apply:
- You rent from a council, housing association or private landlord
- You have told your landlord about the problem
- It still has not been properly fixed after a reasonable time
Free, confidential and no obligation.
What we help with
Problems your landlord must fix
Choose the problem closest to yours to see what the law says, what evidence helps and how much compensation tenants usually receive.
Heating disrepair
No heating or hot water, a boiler that keeps breaking down or radiators that never get warm: your landlord…
Can I claim? →Leaks and water damage
Leaks from roofs, pipes, bathrooms or the flat above that your landlord has failed to trace and fix, and the…
Can I claim? →Damp, mould and wall problems
Damp patches, black mould, crumbling plaster, failed cavity wall insulation or a broken damp-proof course…
Can I claim? →Window and door disrepair
Rotten frames, broken glass, windows that will not open or close, failed double glazing, draughts and doors…
Can I claim? →Bathroom disrepair
Leaking baths and showers, cracked basins, mould that keeps returning, no hot water, broken extractor fans…
Can I claim? →Guttering disrepair
Blocked, broken or missing gutters and downpipes that pour water down the walls, causing penetrating damp…
Can I claim? →Plumbing disrepair
Burst or leaking pipes, blocked drains, no water pressure, faulty stopcocks and waste pipes that back up into…
Can I claim? →Structural disrepair
Subsidence, movement, tree root damage, failed lintels, dangerous stairs and balconies and other defects in…
Can I claim? →Cracks in walls and ceilings
Cracked plaster, render and brickwork that your landlord has ignored, from cosmetic cracks that hide damp to…
Can I claim? →Roof disrepair
Missing tiles, leaking flat roofs, defective flashing, rotten roof timbers and chimneys letting water in…
Can I claim? →Kitchen disrepair
Leaking sinks, broken units, dangerous worktops, faulty cooker connections, pests and damp that make the…
Can I claim? →Toilet disrepair
Blocked, leaking, cracked or constantly running toilets, broken cisterns and soil pipes, and homes left…
Can I claim? →Pest infestations
Mice, rats, cockroaches, bed bugs, ants and other infestations caused or allowed to continue by defects your…
Can I claim? →Ceiling disrepair
Stained, cracked, sagging or collapsed ceilings caused by leaks from roofs, bathrooms or the flat above that…
Can I claim? →Electrical disrepair
Dangerous wiring, tripping fuse boards, broken sockets and lights, no electrical safety certificate and water…
Can I claim? →How it works
Four simple steps to repairs and compensation
Tell us what is wrong
Call us or fill in the short form. We will ask about the problems, how long you have had them and what your landlord has done. It takes about five minutes.
Free claim check
We check whether your landlord has broken their legal repairing duties and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. There is no charge and no obligation.
Inspection and letter of claim
An independent surveyor inspects your home and your solicitor sends a formal letter of claim to your landlord setting out the repairs needed and the compensation owed.
Repairs done, compensation paid
Most landlords settle. The repairs are carried out and your compensation is paid. If the landlord refuses, your solicitor can take the case to court for you.
Compensation
How much could you be owed?
Compensation for housing disrepair is normally worked out as a percentage of the rent you paid while the problems were ignored, usually between 20% and 50%. You can also claim for belongings ruined by damp, mould, leaks or pests, extra heating costs, and any illness or injury the conditions caused. Claims can go back up to six years.
It makes no difference whether you pay the rent yourself or it is covered by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit: the compensation is paid to you.
Your rights
Your landlord's legal duties
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 your landlord must keep the structure and exterior of your home in repair, together with the installations for water, gas, electricity, heating, hot water and sanitation. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 adds a duty to keep your home free from serious hazards such as damp, mould, cold and dangerous electrics.
These duties apply to councils, housing associations and private landlords, and your tenancy agreement cannot take them away.
Tenants across the UK
We have local information pages for 18,894 towns and villages. Find yours to see how claims work in your area.
Common questions
Housing disrepair claims FAQs
What is housing disrepair?
Housing disrepair means a rented home that has fallen below the standard the law requires because repairs have not been done. Common examples are damp and mould, leaks, broken heating or hot water, faulty electrics, rotten windows, roof problems, pests and structural cracks. If you reported the problem and your landlord failed to fix it within a reasonable time, you may be able to claim.
Who can make a housing disrepair claim?
Council tenants, housing association tenants and private tenants in England and Wales can all claim, as long as the property is your home under a tenancy and the landlord was told about the problem. You do not have to be up to date with your rent to claim, although arrears may be taken into account when compensation is paid.
How much does it cost?
Nothing up front. We work on a no win, no fee basis. If your claim does not succeed you pay nothing. If it does, legal costs are claimed from your landlord and an agreed success fee is deducted from your compensation, which we explain in writing before you start.
Will I have to go to court?
Very rarely. Most claims settle after the formal letter of claim, once the landlord has seen the independent surveyor's report. If a landlord refuses to cooperate, court proceedings can be issued, but even then the vast majority settle before a hearing.
How long do I have to claim?
You can normally claim for up to six years of disrepair, counting back from the day the claim starts. Personal injury or illness caused by the conditions has a three-year limit (longer for children). The sooner you start, the more of the affected period you can claim for.
Can my landlord evict me for claiming?
Secure and assured tenants of councils and housing associations cannot be evicted for making a claim. Private tenants have protection from retaliatory eviction, strengthened by the Renters' Rights Act, and we will explain exactly how that applies to your tenancy before you decide.
From the blog
Guides for tenants
Leaks and Water Damage: A Tenant’s Guide to Repairs and Compensation
Learn your rights and how to get repairs and compensation for leaks and water damage in your home.
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Heating Disrepair: A Simple Guide for Tenants
Learn your rights about heating disrepair, how to get repairs done, and claim compensation if your landlord fails to fix your…
Read more →Think you have a housing disrepair claim?
Tell us what is wrong with your home and we will check, free of charge, whether you can claim repairs and compensation on a no win, no fee basis.