Tenants will be able to challenge landlords over Awaab’s law and could win compensation
5 months ago | 3 comments
Tenant wants compensation for mould?
8:02 AM, 18th May 2026, 2 days ago
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Hi, I am after a bit of advice, please, from the Property118 community. I have a flat which is managed by a letting agent, and a while ago there was mould in the flat, which the handyman sorted, but warned that the same thing would happen if the windows aren’t opened. Well, this did happen a few weeks later.
At the time, the tenant said he was looking to get out of his contract. He’s still there and will be there till the end of June. He is asking for compensation for the handyman being in his room.
I bought him a dehumidifier, and he’s asking for compensation for using it. I have asked him to send copies of the energy bills to the letting agent. The office is a minute from the flat. He has refused to do this, but continues to send passive-aggressive emails.
He has also said a number of items were ruined, though there are no photos, nor has he shown a backpack or bedding, which he says were ruined.
He is asking for £381 in compensation. I am unsure how to go about this. Do I accept these things were ruined and the price he’s asking is correct, or do I negotiate?
The rent is due on the first of the month, and as of yet, he hasn’t paid this month’s rent. I should also say that I am in the process of selling the flat, which is likely to be in the next week or so.
Any advice on this matter would be welcome. I’ve found the letting agent to offer no advice.
Thanks,
Debra
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4 months ago | 7 comments
Member Since November 2015 - Comments: 83
10:15 AM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
We believe there will be a lot of opportunistic tenants attempting to claim so we would not agree to compensation as that would cause a precedent for tenants to simply claim maliciously. In many cases, mould is created through the tenant’s lifestyle habits refusing to manage condensation for example and also not willing to educate themselves on the subject how to avoid it and the landlord should demonstrate that kind of behavour and cause instead of allowing the public and tenants to use us as easy scapegoat yet in another area.
Member Since November 2018 - Comments: 11
10:50 AM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Private Housing Provider at 18/05/2026 – 10:15
I agree with the previous person . You documents to prove he does not open windows. You provided a dehumidifier for his disregard for your flat .
I would make a claim against his deposit for failure to pay his rent and the cost of contractor work .
He was the cause of the problem.
Member Since October 2019 - Comments: 408
11:45 AM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
I have a property that has the original 100 year old wooden sash windows as I refuse to install plastic windows! Granted there’s a slight draft which suits as most tenants dry their clothes indoors due to the wet weather but ventilation makes all the difference and in 30 years I’ve never seen or had a complaint regarding mould or cold! They got it right all those year’s ago!
Member Since July 2017 - Comments: 465
12:03 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Pat Simpson at 10:50
The chances of a successful claim against the tenant’s deposit ? Close to zero. I would pay tenant £381 on condition that they leave ASAP. Tidy your property up ready for sale and sell it. You must now realise that renting a property is not a good trouble free investment, especially with potential high fines. Who knows what’s coming next – Always the landlord’s fault if a property is mouldy?
Member Since May 2017 - Comments: 783
12:13 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 18/05/2026 – 11:45
What is the EPC for your property?
Member Since November 2018 - Comments: 11
12:43 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 18/05/2026 – 12:03
Why ?
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2221 - Articles: 2
1:01 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
I had a tenant claim £30,000 compensation for mould and the damage it had done to their health. The Local Authority made me clean all the mould. The disrepair surveyor gave ma a clean slate and said it was the tenants’ lifestyle which had caused the problem.
Do not give in, it’s the thin end of the wedge.
Member Since February 2026 - Comments: 2
1:28 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
The EPC for the flat is C
The mould was removed quickly The flat was repainted then
I’m waiting for the buyers solicitor to get back after looking at at his mortgage offer We have exchanged contracts and are expected this to go ahead very soon
The problem seems to be it being a ground floor flat and tenants don’t like opening the windows I had an enviro vent fan installed a while ago hoping this would help
Member Since February 2026 - Comments: 2
2:05 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
One of the issues besides claiming compensation for using the dehumidifier is claiming com for the handyman doing the work The tenant is arguing that it was disruptive and inconvenient and as the handyman returned the following day after sorting out the mould to paint his room he is asking for compensation for this
I’ve never had a situation like this where the tenant is demanding compensation for the work done and am wondering if I should just pay or not
Member Since November 2018 - Comments: 11
3:26 PM, 18th May 2026, About 2 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 18/05/2026 – 12:03
Why ?