Faster, stronger action needed on cold homes

David, Richmond
24 January 2011

A few years ago in pre-trendy Hoxton I recall my flatmates denying the existence of the washing up, or indeed the kitchen, because it was too far from the living room where our two-bar electric heater lived. 

I'm not proud of this, but when my slice of bread slipped and fell onto one of the electric bars - shorting the whole flat - we lasted just three hours in the dark and cold until we decided it was time to move out, en masse.  

Tramping through the snow to a bus stop, with my belongings in a binbag, remains one of the happiest memories of my life. 

I was going home. To my mum. The land of tomato soup, cheese on toast, light... and warmth!

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.