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

Paul, North Wales
17 January 2011

As a professional working person, I have been renting houses in North West Wales for the last five years.

All the properties I have rented have been through private landlords. None of these houses have been sufficiently modernised or insulated. Consequently, they have been both difficult and expensive to heat efficiently.

It is extremely annoying that private landlords are allowed to rent out badly maintained and poorly insulated houses. The current Government needs to act to see that the law is changed.

I now work for a university and come into contact with a great number of students. Many have suffered this winter due to appalling living conditions and lack of sufficient heating and insulation in their privately rented student houses.

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.