THOUSANDS of households might be renting accommodation that’s too cold due to poor maintenance, which has dangerous implications on their health.
But if a landlord refuses to resolve heating issues and renters are limited with refurbishing options, where does that leave them?
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Legally, accommodation has to be deemed safe under the Fitness for Human Habitation Act 2018.
This means tenants can claim compensation if their homes pose a risk to their health – or generally aren’t up to scratch.
In March 2020, the act was extended to renters who inhabited a property before the ruling came into force, allowing more tenants to take legal action.
And since April 2020, landlords have to meet minimum energy efficiency standards or face a fine of up to £5,000.
To assess standards, homes are given Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) that rate efficiency levels on a scale of A to G, highest to lowest.
To find your home’s EPC, you can search the government’s website.
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Landlords owning F and G rated properties or are required to make improvements.
If renters discover that the property is rated F or G, and the landlord has no plans to improve it, they can contact their local council to ask for assistance.
Local councils can order landlords to make improvements – but before they do this, discuss the plan of action carefully with them.
Landlords have been known to evict ‘difficult’ tenants, so involving the council should be done with caution.
Types of repairs
Home improvements such as better insulation and double glazing would not only protect a tenant’s health, but also cut bills – £1,368 per year according to Switchcraft.
These savings would be welcome relief to those battling the cost of living crisis.
Landlords are usually the ones responsible for broken boilers, heating, pipes and gas appliances, so contact them to see if they’ll make these repairs.
Even if you don’t have boiler cover, the repairs may still be the landlord’s responsibility.
If you’re unsure where you stand, we suggest calling Citizens Advice for tailored help.
How do I get help with my cold accommodation?
Who you go to for help depends on your situation.
You may be able to speak directly to your landlord, or speak with a letting agent on their behalf.
If you think outstanding repairs are the cause of your cold home, you should contact either one directly in writing – make sure to keep receipt of the conversation.
But note, tenants are responsible for repairs in situations where the damage was caused by them.
What if my landlord refuses to help?
If your landlord ignores your request, or doesn’t complete it within a reasonable time, you can take them to court.
Doing so carries court fees, and you should be aware of these before deciding which route to take.
To seek action, you’ll need to send a ‘letter of claim’ to the landlord, outlining the issue and noting your intention to take legal action if the problem isn’t fixed.
If these are ignored, you can start court action by filling out an N1 form which can be found on the government’s website along with guidance.
Alternatively, you can give your local Citizens Advice branch a call and follow their advice on next steps.
If successful, the court will order the landlord to make the property fit for living, or rule that compensation be paid instead.
According to the government, there are no limits on the amount of compensation that can be awarded – it is at the discretion of the judge.
In other news, renters could force landlords to repair 800,000 homes as part of new rule shake up.
also, families struggling to pay energy bills as a result of the cost of living crisis may be able to get free cash from the Household Support Fund.
Failing that, Brits can apply for the warm home discount scheme to get free cash towards essentials.
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