You may be able to make a bed bug compensation claim if a landlord, hotel or trader is responsible for the losses you’ve had. Start by writing to them with a letter before claim. If that doesn’t settle it, in England and Wales you can make a small claim through the county court, online or by post.
Reviewed by James Rhoades, Owner, ThermoPest · Last reviewed 15 October 2026
We’re pest specialists, not lawyers, so this guide links to the official guidance throughout. It covers England and Wales in detail, with pointers for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Can you claim compensation for bed bugs?
Sometimes. A claim turns on whether someone had a legal duty to you, didn’t meet it, and caused you a loss you can show. Proving where the bugs came from is often the hardest part.
Claiming Against a Landlord
In England, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 lets tenants take action if their home is unfit to live in. The GOV.UK guide for tenants lists “domestic hygiene, pests and refuse” among the hazards, and says that if you win, the court can order the landlord to do the work or pay compensation, depending on “how long the house or flat was unfit, how bad it was and how this harmed you.”
The same guide says you should tell your landlord first, give them a reasonable time to fix the problem and write to them again before going to court. It also says a landlord may not have to fix a problem caused by a tenant’s irresponsible behaviour. Our step-by-step guide for when a landlord won’t treat bed bugs covers that stage, and our guide to bed bugs and the Renters’ Rights Act explains how renting rules in England are changing.
The Act only applies in England. For Wales, see Renting Homes on gov.wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so get advice for your nation.
Claiming Against a Hotel or B&B
When you book a hotel, you’re usually buying a service from a trader. Under section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, every contract to supply a service is treated as including a term that the trader must perform it with reasonable care and skill. The Act’s explanatory notes say this part of it largely extends to the whole of the UK. Whether a hotel met it depends on the facts. Our guide on claiming against a hotel for bed bugs goes into the detail, including what to do before you check out.
If the hotel is abroad, you can’t use the online claim service (see the steps below), so get advice on where and how to claim.
Claiming Against a Seller of Furniture or Bedding
If you bought furniture, a mattress or bedding from a trader and it arrived with bed bugs, section 9 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says every contract to supply goods includes a term that the goods are of satisfactory quality. You’d need evidence that the bugs came with the item, which can be hard to show.
Other Situations
Claims against anyone else, such as a neighbour or removal firm, depend heavily on the facts. If you picked them up at work, see our guide to bed bugs at work and your rights. If you’re selling a home, see what you must disclose when selling a house with bed bugs.
What can you claim for?
Citizens Advice says your letter before claim should say how much money you want and how you’ve calculated that amount (Citizens Advice, making a small claim). People commonly list costs such as:
- pest control inspection and treatment you paid for;
- bedding, a mattress or furniture you had to throw away;
- cleaning, alternative accommodation or travel costs;
- pharmacy costs for bites.
Whether any item is recoverable is for the other side to agree or the court to decide, and nobody can promise an outcome, so keep every receipt.
Can you claim for bed bug bites?
Bed bugs aren’t known to spread disease, and the NHS explains when to get help for bites. If your main loss is to your health rather than money you’ve spent, a claim may be more complex and you may need legal advice (see below). In Northern Ireland, nidirect says personal injury claims aren’t dealt with through the small claims process.
What evidence do you need for a bed bug claim?
Good records matter more than anything else, so start them as soon as you suspect bed bugs.
- Dated photos and video: live bugs, shed skins, dark spots on mattress seams, bites and damaged items.
- A sample: a bug under clear tape or in a sealed bag.
- Written reports: a professional inspection report of what was found, where and when.
- Every message: emails, texts and letters, plus dated notes of phone calls.
- Receipts, and your tenancy, booking or order details.
- A timeline: when you moved in, stayed or bought the item, when you noticed signs and when you reported it.
A ThermoPest bed bug inspection comes with a written report and photos, which is useful evidence whichever side you’re on. We don’t give legal advice or act as expert witnesses. If you’re a landlord, our bed bug control for landlords covers inspection and treatment that’s heat-led, with targeted spray where it’s needed; acting promptly and keeping records helps you show you acted responsibly.
Should you try to settle it first?
Citizens Advice says “Before you start a small claim, try to solve the problem another way if you can” (Citizens Advice, deciding whether to make a small claim), such as a formal complaint or mediation.
If that doesn’t work, write a letter before claim. Citizens Advice says to:
- write “Letter before claim” at the start;
- include your name and address, what happened, what you want, and the amount claimed and how you calculated it;
- set a deadline for a reply, “usually 14 days”;
- say you’ll start court proceedings if you don’t get a reply;
- refer to the Practice Direction on pre-action conduct and say you’re willing to try mediation;
- keep a copy and get proof of postage.
This step matters. Citizens Advice warns that if you don’t follow the pre-action rules, “the court will take this into account”, and the case might not be heard or any award could be reduced (Citizens Advice, the rules about making a court claim). Keep the tone calm and factual.
How do you make a small claim in England and Wales?
GOV.UK’s make a court claim for money guide explains how to claim money you’re owed from a person or business through the county court, often called the small claims court. Citizens Advice says “Small claims are never usually for more than £10,000.” Lower limits apply to some claims: a personal injury claim, such as for a reaction to bites, is usually only a small claim if the injury part is worth £1,000 or less, and a tenant’s claim asking the court to order repairs is only a small claim if the repairs and any other damages are each worth £1,000 or less.
Step by Step
- Check you can claim online. GOV.UK lists when you can’t claim online, including if you don’t know how much to claim, the claim is against 3 or more people or organisations, or either side has no address in England or Wales. Then you claim by post.
- Gather what you need. The name, address and email address of who you’re claiming against, and a card for the fee (or a help with fees reference number).
- Make the claim and pay the fee. Use the online money claim service, or send form N1 by post to the Civil National Business Centre.
How much does a small claim cost?
These are the claim fees listed on GOV.UK’s court fees page (checked October 2026). If you claim online, the fee is calculated for you.
| Amount you’re claiming | Court fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £300 | £35 |
| £300.01 to £500 | £50 |
| £500.01 to £1,000 | £70 |
| £1,000.01 to £1,500 | £80 |
| £1,500.01 to £3,000 | £115 |
| £3,000.01 to £5,000 | £205 |
| £5,000.01 to £10,000 | £455 |
GOV.UK adds: “You may have to pay more fees later on – for example, if there’s a court hearing or you need to get a judgment enforced.” If you have a low income or get certain benefits, you may be able to get help with court fees.
Is there a time limit?
Yes. For problems with goods or services, Citizens Advice says “You have the right to make a claim up to 6 years after you paid for the service or product”, and for repairs, “You must claim within 6 years of them knowing the repairs needed to be done” (Citizens Advice; this advice applies to England; Citizens Advice has separate versions for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).
What happens after you make your claim?
According to GOV.UK, your claim, including your name and address, is sent to the person or business you’re claiming against (the defendant). You’ll get a letter or email telling you the date they must respond by.
- If they don’t respond: you can ask the court for a judgment ordering them to pay.
- If they dispute it: for claims of £10,000 or less, GOV.UK says you’ll be told you must attend mediation, which the court organises and is free. An HMCTS mediator speaks to each side separately by phone (GOV.UK, mediation).
- If mediation doesn’t settle it: there will be a hearing. For a claim of less than £10,000, GOV.UK says it can be held in the judge’s room or a courtroom in a county court (GOV.UK, the hearing).
At the hearing, explain your case in date order and point to your evidence. If you disagree with the decision, the same GOV.UK page says you must appeal within 21 days of getting it.
What if you lose, or they don’t pay?
Citizens Advice says “If you lose, you might have to pay their fees”, and “If the person or company you’re claiming against can’t pay, you’re unlikely to get your money back.” If you win and they still don’t pay, GOV.UK explains how to enforce a judgment, which costs further fees.
How do small claims work in Scotland and Northern Ireland?
The county court process above is for England and Wales. Elsewhere:
- Scotland: mygov.scot says simple procedure applies if your case is worth less than £5,000 and isn’t complicated. Claims are made and tracked through Civil Online; see Scottish Courts and Tribunals: simple procedure.
- Northern Ireland: nidirect says claims are generally small claims where the value is not more than £5,000, and you can apply online. Personal injury claims are excluded.
Do you need a solicitor for a bed bug claim?
Not usually. GOV.UK says you can represent yourself at a hearing, and someone can advise you in court without being a lawyer. But its guide to making a claim also says “You may need to get legal advice if your claim is complex.” A claim about health effects, a large sum or a business abroad may well be complex. You can find a legal adviser on GOV.UK, and Citizens Advice can help you decide whether to claim.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not reporting the problem in writing at the time.
- Throwing out infested items before photographing them.
- Skipping the letter before claim, or claiming a figure you can’t break down.
- Using foggers or bug bombs, which tend to scatter bed bugs into new hiding places.
For an overview of how the law treats bed bugs in different settings, see our guide to bed bug laws and regulations in the UK.
This is general information, not legal advice. Checked: October 2026.
FAQs
Can you claim compensation for bed bugs in the UK?
You may be able to, if a landlord, hotel or trader had a legal duty to you, didn’t meet it and caused you a loss you can show. Try to settle it with a letter before claim first.
Can I sue a hotel for bed bugs?
Possibly. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a hotel must provide its service with reasonable care and skill. Report the bugs before you leave, take dated photos and complain in writing first.
Can I sue my landlord for bed bugs?
In England, GOV.UK’s guide to the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 says a court can order repairs or compensation where hazards such as pests make a home unfit. Tell your landlord in writing first and give them reasonable time to act. The rules differ elsewhere in the UK.
How much compensation can you get for bed bugs?
There’s no set amount, and we can’t predict one. A claim is based on the losses you can show, and the outcome depends on what the other side agrees or the court decides. For landlord cases in England, GOV.UK says compensation depends on how long the home was unfit, how bad it was and how it harmed you.
How do I file a small claim?
In England and Wales, use GOV.UK’s online money claim service, or form N1 by post, and pay the court fee for the amount you’re claiming. In Scotland, use simple procedure through Civil Online. In Northern Ireland, use the small claims service on nidirect.
Need evidence of bed bugs?
If you’ve found signs, an inspection will confirm what you’re dealing with, and our written report with photos gives you a clear record. ThermoPest is a member of the BPCA and NPTA, and our technicians arrive in unmarked vans.
