Compensation precedent
Health & safety compensation precedent
What the Housing Ombudsman has ordered landlords to pay in published health & safety determinations.
Indicative figures only — this is not legal advice.
These amounts come from past published determinations. The Housing Ombudsman decides every case on its own facts, so they do not predict what any individual complaint might recover and must not be relied on as legal advice.
Compensation range
From 8,267 published determinations in this category that ordered compensation.
- Lowest
- £9
- Median
- £500
- Highest
- £358,282
The median is the middle award and is usually a better guide to a typical case than the average, which a few large awards can skew. Indicative only.
Example awards
Real published determinations in this category that ordered compensation.
| Landlord | Outcome | Date | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Borough of Hackney (202449791) | Severe maladministration Service failure | 22 September 2025 | £358,282 |
| Southwark Council (202210574) | Severe maladministration | 27 March 2024 | £16,875 |
| Sanctuary Housing Association (202224022) | Severe maladministration | 19 July 2024 | £13,410 |
| Rooftop Housing Association Limited (202325127) | Severe maladministration Maladministration | 29 August 2024 | £12,900 |
| Camden Council (202205170) | Severe maladministration Maladministration | 27 October 2023 | £12,644 |
| Clarion Housing Association Limited (202222119) | Maladministration Mediation / settlement | 29 November 2024 | £12,090 |
| Clarion Housing Association Limited (202210484) | Reasonable redress | 20 March 2024 | £12,000 |
| London & Quadrant Housing Trust (202203890) | Severe maladministration | 14 June 2023 | £11,760 |
Each award reflects the specific failings and impact in that case. Indicative only — not a guide to any individual complaint.
Pro feature
Search compensation precedent across every category
The Pro compensation tool lets you filter awards by landlord, theme, severity and date, and export the underlying determinations.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation does the Housing Ombudsman order for health & safety complaints?
Across 8,267 published determinations in this category that ordered compensation, awards ranged from £9 to £358,282, with a median of £500. The Ombudsman decides each case on its own facts, so these figures are indicative of past published cases only and do not predict any individual outcome.
How does the Housing Ombudsman decide compensation?
The Ombudsman applies its published remedies guidance. It considers the severity and duration of any failure, the impact on the resident (including distress and inconvenience), whether the landlord put things right, and any payments the landlord already offered. Compensation is one of several possible remedies alongside apologies, repairs and policy changes.
Is this a guarantee of what I would receive?
No. These figures are drawn from past published determinations and are indicative only. They are not legal advice and not a prediction of any specific complaint. Your circumstances, your landlord and the Ombudsman's assessment of impact will all affect any remedy.
Should I take legal advice?
This page is an information resource, not legal advice. If you are unsure about your rights or how to pursue a complaint, consider contacting a free advice service such as Citizens Advice or Shelter, or seek independent legal advice.