Faster, stronger action needed on cold homes

Fergal, London
19 January 2011

I have worked for several years for six different London environmental health departments and one of the main issues is excess cold. It is the single biggest killer in the home and is responsible for thousand of deaths a year. I have personally served legal notices against greedy or indifferent landlords where vulnerable people are living in appalling cold conditions.

 

It is relatively simple problem to eradicated and will help the fight against climate change. Providing rental accommodation is a business and landlords should have a responsibility to provide clean, safe warm properties.

 

Please sign up to this and help improve minimum rental standards in the UK.

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!"

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.