Mild (One room, slight mold – 10%)
Moderate (Major room or multiple areas – 25%)
Severe (Major rooms unusable – 50%)
Extreme (Entire property hazardous – 75%)
Rent Rebate Estimate:£0.00
Belongings & Expenses:£0.00
Estimated Total Claim:£0.00
*This is an estimate based on common UK housing tribunal standards. Actual payouts vary by case.
function calculateDampComp() {
var monthlyRent = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyRent").value);
var monthsAffected = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthsAffected").value);
var severity = parseFloat(document.getElementById("severity").value);
var belongings = parseFloat(document.getElementById("belongings").value) || 0;
var outOfPocket = parseFloat(document.getElementById("outOfPocket").value) || 0;
if (isNaN(monthlyRent) || isNaN(monthsAffected) || monthlyRent <= 0 || monthsAffected <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid rent and duration values.");
return;
}
// Logic: (Rent * Months) * (Severity Percentage)
var totalRentPaid = monthlyRent * monthsAffected;
var rebate = totalRentPaid * (severity / 100);
var additional = belongings + outOfPocket;
var total = rebate + additional;
document.getElementById("rebateValue").innerText = "£" + rebate.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("expensesValue").innerText = "£" + additional.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("totalValue").innerText = "£" + total.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("dampResult").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Damp and Mold Compensation Claims
Living in a property with damp, mold, or condensation is not just unpleasant—it can be a serious health hazard. Under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords in the UK have a legal obligation to ensure their properties are free from hazards that make the dwelling unfit for habitation.
How Compensation is Calculated
Calculating compensation for damp usually falls into three distinct categories:
Rent Rebate (Diminution of Value): This is the most common form of compensation. Courts typically award a percentage reduction of the rent for the period the property was affected. This ranges from 10% for minor issues to over 50% if certain rooms (like bedrooms) are completely unusable.
Special Damages: This covers the cost of personal belongings destroyed by mold (e.g., clothes, curtains, furniture) and any extra costs incurred, such as increased electricity bills due to running dehumidifiers.
General Damages: This accounts for the physical health impacts (respiratory issues) and the general stress or inconvenience caused by the living conditions.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Mild Living Room Damp
If you pay £1,000 monthly rent and have mild damp in the corner of your living room for 4 months, a court might award a 10% rebate.
Calculation: (£1,000 x 4) x 10% = £400 compensation.
Example 2: Severe Bedroom Mold
If you pay £800 monthly rent and a bedroom is unusable due to black mold for 6 months, plus £500 in ruined furniture, you might be entitled to a 40% rebate plus the furniture cost.
Calculation: (£800 x 6) x 40% = £1,920 + £500 = £2,420 total estimated claim.
Steps to Take Before Claiming
To successfully use this damp compensation calculator in a real-world dispute, you must ensure you have followed the correct procedures:
Notify the Landlord: You must have reported the issue in writing (email or letter). Compensation usually only begins from the date the landlord was made aware of the issue.
Evidence Gathering: Take clear, dated photographs of the damp and any mold growth. Keep receipts for any items you had to throw away.
Allow Access: You must give the landlord or their contractors reasonable access to carry out inspections and repairs.
Professional Survey: For severe cases, an Environmental Health Officer from the local council can inspect the property and issue an improvement notice.