Faster, stronger action needed on cold homes

Frank, London
14 January 2011

I don't want to recollect all the cold flats and houses I've lodged in.

There was my parents' home where I and my sisters stood around the electric fire in the mornings before we scampered into the even colder bathroom to wash for school.

Then there were the countless student flats I rented, where sometimes it was just too cold to work on my drawing board.

Even today, my girlfriend's flat is so cold I awake with cold ears and a pillow you don't want to turn over. And the damp in the bathroom after a shower lingers for hours afterwards.

The only release at present is the hope of summer.

Natasha Khan, Bat for Lashes

"We suffered the worst mould you could imagine in my student house. Over our 2 year let, it got to the point where you'd have to dodge at least 20 slugs living off moisture in the carpet to reach the bathroom - then inhale black mould spores if the steam from the shower got too much. The cold, draughts and dampness were pretty extreme!"

Stop tenants feeling the chill

Stop tenants feeling the chill

Help end dangerously cold homes

Stop tenants feeling the chill

Need some help?

For free advice on paying heating bills and how to save energy, visit Home Heat Helpline  or call 0800 336699.

Find out your legal rights as a tenant at Shelter or call 0808 800 4444.