How to Claim Compensation from Your Landlord

You may be entitled to compensation from your landlord in several situations:

• Unprotected deposit: If your landlord failed to protect your deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, you can claim 1 to 3 times the deposit amount.
• Disrepair: If the landlord failed to maintain the property (breach of Section 11 or the Homes Act 2018), you can claim for any losses, inconvenience, and damage to your belongings.
• Illegal eviction: If you were illegally evicted (locks changed, utilities cut off), compensation can include accommodation costs, distress, and loss of belongings.
• Harassment: Persistent interference with your quiet enjoyment, unlawful entry, or intimidation can result in compensation.
• Rent repayment: If your landlord committed a housing offence (unlicensed HMO, breach of improvement notice, illegal eviction), you can claim up to 12 months' rent.
• Prohibited fees: If your landlord charged fees banned under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, you can claim the amount back plus interest.

Each route has different processes and potential amounts. Understanding which applies to your situation is the first step.

For most compensation claims against a landlord, you will use the county court (small claims track for claims under £10,000):

How to file:

Types of claims:

Building your case:

A rent repayment order (RRO) lets you recover up to 12 months' rent if your landlord committed specific housing offences:

• Operating an unlicensed HMO
• Breaching a council improvement notice
• Illegal eviction or harassment
• Failure to comply with a prohibition order
• Using violence to secure entry to the property

The application goes to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), not the county court. The process:

• Complete the application form (available from the tribunal website)
• Pay the fee (£100 to £300 depending on the claim)
• Submit evidence of the offence and the rent you paid
• Attend a hearing (usually within 3 to 6 months)
• The tribunal decides the amount to award (up to 12 months' rent)

You do not need to wait for the landlord to be prosecuted. You can apply for an RRO whether or not the council has taken criminal action. However, a successful prosecution strengthens your case.

Use our landlord check tool to assess whether your property requires a licence that the landlord may not have.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 created a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman that all landlords in England must register with. This provides a free alternative to the courts for many complaints.

The Ombudsman can investigate complaints about:

• Failure to carry out repairs
• Poor communication or unresponsiveness
• Breach of landlord obligations
• Unfair treatment or discrimination
• Complaints handling by landlords or agents

The Ombudsman can order remedies including:

• An apology
• An explanation of what went wrong
• Compensation (amounts vary)
• Practical action to put things right

To use the Ombudsman:

• First complain to your landlord and allow them time to respond (usually 8 weeks)
• If not resolved, submit your complaint to the Ombudsman
• The process is free and decisions are binding on the landlord
• The Ombudsman aims to resolve complaints within 90 days

The Ombudsman is a good option for issues that do not warrant a full court claim but still need resolution. For larger financial claims, the county court or tribunal may be more appropriate.