Faster, stronger action needed on cold homes

Julie, York
24 January 2011

As a student I lived in a very cold rented house. Not only did we struggle with paying the heating bills - the worst thing was when it was so cold that the whole of the toilet, system and bowl, froze over.

We had to use the toilets at the public library.

I remember being grateful that this was a phase of my life that I expected to get out of. And I felt dreadful about the people around me who were trapped in this situation.

Two years ago we insulated our current house and immediately felt the difference. As owners of our home we had an incentive to do this.

Can't something be done to encourage landlords to do the same?

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.