Cockroaches and Feral Dogs

The remarkable thing about this case is the amount of damages awarded by the judge in the County Court. The two families must have thought all their Christmases had come at once.

The facts were that the Clarkes and the Greenwoods, five adults and three children, booked a holiday in Tenerife with Airtours. For this they paid £2,058. Instead of hotel rooms they were allocated self catering accommodation.

The complex was dirty and run down and infested with cockroaches.

Feral cats and dogs roamed the site and there was broken glass around the swimming pool.

Despite constant complaints nothing was done to alleviate the problem.

On returning home the claimants sued Airtours. Altogether they recovered £8,040.

This included £800 for each member of the group, including the young children, for distress and disappointment as well as sums for diminution in value. It is highly unlikely that future claimants will ever receive such a generous award. [This is the case of Clarke & Greenwood v Airtours [1995] CLY 1603]

[Last revised 30 March, 2023]

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