Stephen, London

14 January 2011

I've rented in London for the last five and a half years and can only afford low-cost accommodation.

I've rented three different properties - all typical old buildings with single-glazed windows and no draught sealant around doors or windows to minimise heat loss or stop cold coming in.

The heating is old-style radiators which have not been serviced during the term of the tenancy.  At best only 50 per cent of the radiators work to an acceptable level of heating despite desperate efforts to bleed any air blockages.

During these last two winters with snow, ice and extremely low temperatures it has been difficult to keep the house warm.