Faster, stronger action needed on cold homes

David, Coventry
24 January 2011

The windows in the bedroom of our rented flat didn't fit the frame properly. We tried taping up the gaps, made curtains with heavy lining, etc.

At the coldest points of the winter, there was frost on the inside of the glass. You'd wake in the morning and check how damp the top of the duvet was before getting dressed in bed.

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.