Compensation amounts

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Just wanted to talk this through with someone. I rent and there has been an ongoing issue with the induction job for 3 years. I have sent emails about this but my landlord is based overseas, doesn’t speak English, the agency has changed staff etc so I have literally been chasing this to no avail for 3 years. Haven’t had a working hob in that time. Have access to an oven and a microwave. My rent is £1k monthly

earlier today a manager at the agency asked me what I wanted in terms of compensation and I didn’t know what to respond. I said I’ll get back to them and also would urgently like the issue fixed which they agreed to. My question to you is what compensation do you think is reasonable to ask for, if anything?

Do you think you’ve suffered any financial loss during this period, or is it for inconvenience? If there’s a financial loss (higher electricity bills if you’ve used oven and microwave more?) then claim that plus a bit extra for inconvenience.

If it’s just inconvenience then I’d do something like 10% reduction on rent paid over the period it’s been faulty - so £100 per month for the three years = £3600. Would that be sufficient to make you feel satisfied?

Alternatively, if the money isn’t really the issue, you could be creative and ask for a rent freeze for a few years (does it go up every year?) or reduction in rent for a period of time. The landlord might be happier with that as they would just be getting less cash in rather than paying it out but you’d still benefit.

I’m no lawyer! But that’s what I would do.

Thank you. I’m worried about asking for compensation if they try to evict me after reading Shelter’s website. I just rent an apartment in the city centre so it’s not like a full house set up, but I am still worried about having to uproot everything before I’m ready I suppose.