Oliver, London17 January 2011
The last home I rented was about as well insulated as a sieve. When we had the heating on full blast, the house heated up. But once it was turned off the heat disappeared within 20 minutes at best.
Last winter was one of the coldest I've experienced, and we spent a fortune on gas. The current one hasn't been much better.
This not only affects our pockets, but sits uncomfortably with us as we're all too aware of the damage caused by reliance on fossil fuels for heating.
When I went to bed I suffered the draught equivalent of water torture as a small but persistent flow of freezing air drifted across my face all night. Try as I might, I couldn't find the source of the draught. The only way I was ever comfortable was when wearing a balaclava!
We were proactive too. We put cardboard wrapped in foil behind our radiators to stop heat going straight into the (uninsulated) walls and out of the house. We bought draught insulator for our windows, although it didn't really work.
But when we complained to our landlord - and even sent her details of grants available for loft insulation - the resounding response was "Sorry, costs too much".
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.
