How much compensation can you get for damp and mould?
There is no fixed amount. Compensation for damp and mould is mainly based on a proportion of your rent for the time the problem lasted: courts often award roughly 25% to 50% of the rent for a serious, ongoing problem, and less for minor cases (the approach in Wallace v Manchester City Council). You can claim more on top if your health was affected or your belongings were damaged. Every case is different and nothing is guaranteed.
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Key facts
- There is no set figure; it depends on how bad the damp or mould was and how long it lasted.
- The main part is a proportion of your rent for the affected period, often around 25% to 50% for a serious, ongoing problem (Wallace v Manchester City Council).
- If your health was affected, you can claim a separate amount, set by the official Judicial College Guidelines.
- You can also claim for damaged belongings, extra heating costs and any alternative accommodation.
- These are illustrative ranges, not a promise; the actual amount is decided on your evidence, or by a court.
How damp and mould compensation is worked out
The main part of a damp and mould claim is general damages, and courts usually base these on a proportion of your rent for the time the problem lasted (the approach in Wallace v Manchester City Council). For a minor problem that might be a small percentage; for a serious, ongoing problem it commonly sits around 25% to 50% of the rent for the period, and it can be higher where the home is barely liveable. So the longer it went on and the worse it was, the more the figure tends to be.
What affects the amount
How serious the damp or mould was, how long it lasted, how many rooms it affected, whether it stopped you using part of your home, and the effect on the people living there all matter. Cases involving young children, older people or anyone with a health condition tend to be treated more seriously.
Compensation for health effects
If the damp or mould harmed your health, for example breathing problems made worse by mould, you can claim a separate amount on top of the rent-based part. This is set by the official Judicial College Guidelines according to how serious and lasting the effect is, from a modest sum for mild, temporary symptoms up to much more for severe, long-term illness. You would normally need medical evidence to support this part.
Money for damaged belongings and extra costs
On top of the above, you can claim for actual losses you can show: belongings ruined by damp or mould (clothes, furniture, beds), higher heating bills caused by the problem, and the cost of any alternative accommodation. Keep receipts and photos.
Why we cannot promise a figure
Every case turns on its own facts and evidence, and the final amount is agreed in negotiation or decided by a court. The ranges above are illustrative, to show how compensation is worked out. They are not a guarantee of what you will receive.
Related questions
Is there an average payout for damp and mould?
There is no single average. The main part is a proportion of your rent for the time the problem lasted, plus a separate amount if your health or belongings were affected.
How is the rent-based part calculated?
As a percentage of the rent you paid for the period the disrepair lasted. A more serious, longer-running problem sits higher up the scale (the approach in Wallace v Manchester City Council).
Can I get compensation if it affected my health?
Yes. You can claim a separate amount for the health effect, set by the official Judicial College Guidelines according to how serious and lasting it was. Medical evidence helps.
Will I definitely get compensation?
No outcome is guaranteed. It depends on your evidence and whether your landlord was at fault for not putting the problem right in a reasonable time.
Sources and legislation
If your landlord has left repairs undone, we can take it forward for you. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
By: Support for Tenants editorial team
Published:
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 21 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.