Faster, stronger action on cold rented homes is needed in Energy Bill

Helen, London
19 January 2011

When I was a student in Birmingham back in the 1990s I lived in a shared flat and got the room at the back of the house, in a freezing cold uninsulated single brick extension. It had an old wooden, single glazed window and was really little more than a shed.

 

Every morning in the winter the window was dripping with condensation, which pooled on the windowsill. As the weather worsened, the walls of my room were constantly cold and black mould grew on the wallpaper, spreading to my bedding and turning my textbooks black.

 

The stress of living in a cold, mould-infested pit isn't something I would wish on anyone - I know I was lucky, and only had to put up with it for one year. Some people have no choice but to cope with poor insulation and damp every day - and see their kids grow up in unhealthy and uncomfortable conditions.

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.