A new report from Citizens Advice, Window of Opportunity, shows that many private renters are still living in cold, poorly maintained homes. These problems don’t just make homes uncomfortable, they can seriously affect people’s health and finances.
Millions of renters struggle to keep warm during the winter. Last winter, two in five private renters in England and Wales cut back on gas and electricity because of the cost. This meant some people skipped hot meals, wore coats or gloves indoors, or only heated one room in their home.
Poorly insulated homes let heat escape, which pushes energy bills up. This means renters are paying more just to stay warm – often without any way to fix the problem themselves.
We’re calling on the Government to act quickly. Landlords should be required to improve energy efficiency in private rented homes by 2030, so homes are warmer, safer, and cheaper to run. Any improvement work must be done properly, with clear protections for tenants.
Citizens Advice believes renters should be supported throughout this process. This includes:
- Making sure improvement work is done to a good standard
- Protecting renters from unfair rent increases
- Ensuring people can stay safely in their homes while work is carried out
At Citizens Advice Southampton, we see first-hand how cold homes and high energy bills affect local renters. We’ll continue to speak up for fairer, warmer housing and support people who are struggling.
If you’re renting privately and worried about your housing conditions or energy costs, you can contact Citizens Advice Southampton for free, confidential advice.