How cold is too cold for a rented home?
As a landlord, it's crucial to understand your heating obligations and make sure your property meets the required habitable standards. In this article, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme outlines your heating responsibilities as a landlord, offers guidance on how to handle tenant heating concerns, and provides useful tips on how to help keep your property warm during the colder months.
Hazards of living in a cold home
The UK's housing stock is amongst the oldest and least energy-efficient in Europe. More than 52% of homes in England were built before 1965, and the Energy Savings Trust reports that the private rental sector has the highest rate of energy-inefficient homes, with 6.3% of properties rated F or G. As a result, many homes in the private rental sector are difficult and costly to heat, contributing to higher energy bills and cold living conditions.
Living in cold living conditions is not only uncomfortable but also poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and people with chronic illnesses. Additionally, cold homes can be linked to a range of health problems, including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases and even excess winter deaths.
Legal Responsibilities of Landlords
Under the 1985 Tenancy Act, landlords must maintain and repair all space and water heating installations in the dwelling-house. Furthermore, the Homes (Fitness for Habitation) Act requires rented homes to be fit to live in, which also covers heating and insulation. Therefore, if your tenants complain about the property being too cold, it's important to take their concerns seriously.
Legally, the minimum heating standard for the private rental sector (PRS) is at least 18°C in bedrooms and 21°C in living rooms, when the temperature outside is 1°C. The heating system must be available at all times and should be kept in good working order. Tenants, on the other hand, are responsible for using heating appliances correctly and reporting any issues or faults.
In addition, since April 2018, all privately rented properties must have a minimum energy efficiency rating of E unless the landlord qualifies for an exemption. If your tenants are consistently experiencing temperatures below the minimum heating standard, it may be an indication that the heating system or insulation in your property is not up to standard.
Signs of inadequate heating and insulation
There are several signs that your rental property may be inadequately heated or poorly insulated. These include:
- The thermostat is set high, but the property remains cold.
- The tenants are using additional heating methods, like space heaters.
- The windows and doors of the property are letting in cold air.
Dealing with a heating complaint
If your tenants complain about the property being too cold, it's crucial to address their concerns promptly and take necessary actions to rectify the issue. Remember, a happy tenant is more likely to be a long-term tenant, saving you time and money in the long run.
Conduct a professional inspection
One of the first things you should do if your tenants complain about the cold is to conduct a professional inspection. This will help you identify any issues with the heating system or insulation.
Improve insulation
If the insulation in your property is found to be inadequate, consider investing in improvements. This could include adding insulation to the walls, roof and floors, or installing double-glazing.
Upgrading the heating system
If the heating system is old or inefficient, it may be worth upgrading it. This could involve replacing the boiler, installing more efficient radiators, or even switching to a different type of heating system such as a heat pump.
Small changes you can implement quickly
If you're facing issues with heating and insulation in your rental property, there are several cost-effective steps you can take to help:
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Identify problem areas
While doors and windows are the biggest culprits for leaking warm air, you should also inspect other parts of the property, such as cracks in the walls, extractor fan outlets, fireplaces, keyholes, letterboxes and loft hatches.
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Add layers
If you've found areas in your home that are letting in cold air, consider investing in cost-effective solutions such as draft excluders for the bottom of your doors, thermal curtains to help retain heat, rugs for wooden flooring, and glazing film to provide extra insulation over single-glazed windows. You can also purchase weatherstrips from DIY shops, which can quickly seal around doors and windows and prevent drafts.
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Check the radiators
Ensure the radiators are bled yearly so they’re working effectively and consider fitting them with thermostat controls. It’s also worth adding reflective panels behind radiators to prevent heat lost through external walls.
To avoid any confusion or tenancy disputes in the future, it's essential to have a clear tenancy agreement that outlines the responsibilities of both parties. This agreement should clearly state who is responsible for maintaining and repairing the property, including heating systems, and what steps the tenant can take if they have any concerns.
Helpful resources to address cold home concerns
- Funded by the TDS Charitable Foundation, The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) has launched a new project to support landlords meeting Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations. Visit their website here for more information on the help available.
- Are your tenants eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, available for people born on or before October 5, 1956? Similarly, there is a Cold Weather Payment of £25 payment for every seven days of very cold weather between November and March.
- A Warm Home Discount of £140 is available for some people getting Pension Credit, or tenants in low-income households.
- The Household Support Fund is a funding package to help those living in vulnerable households.
- Find out if your property is eligible for a Help to Heat energy grant here.
Simple deposit protection with TDS
TDS Group is the leading tenancy deposit protection and resolution service provider in the UK making life easier for tens of thousands of agents, landlords, developers, and millions of tenants and homebuyers. We're backed by Propertymark, Royal institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the NRLA.
The Tenancy Deposit Scheme not only provides deposit protection but also helps resolve any disputes that may arise at the end of the tenancy, and free mediation with TDS Resolution for any mid-tenancy disputes, such as rent arrears or breach of contract.
By joining the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, you'll unlock the ultimate toolkit with templates, tools, and our comprehensive deposit protection management dashboard.
Signing up is quick and easy, plus NRLA members enjoy a special discount on TDS Insured.
Please note that some resources are exclusively accessible for landlords who use the free custodial deposit protection scheme (TDS Custodial Scheme) or the insured deposit protection scheme (TDS Insured Scheme).
