A working heating system is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Especially during the colder months, heating is essential for keeping tenants safe, warm, and healthy. When boilers, radiators, or central heating systems break down, tenants can be left living in freezing and unsafe conditions. Sadly, many landlords fail to act quickly, forcing families to suffer without adequate heating.
If your landlord has ignored your complaints about a broken heating system, you could be entitled to make a housing disrepair claim. At Housing Disrepair Claims, we specialise in helping tenants pursue a housing disrepair compensation claim against negligent landlords. With our team of housing disrepair experts and the best housing disrepair solicitors, you can secure urgent repairs and financial compensation.
This guide explains the dangers of living without heating, your legal rights, and how to take action today.
Why Heating System Failures Are Serious Housing Issues
1. Health Risks
Living in a cold property can lead to:
- Increased risk of respiratory illnesses.
- Aggravation of asthma and bronchitis.
- Weakened immune systems in children and the elderly.
2. Emotional and Mental Health
Tenants often experience stress, depression, and anxiety when forced to live without proper heating.
3. Property Damage
Cold and damp environments caused by broken heating often result in:
- Mould and mildew growth.
- Burst pipes during freezing weather.
- Long-term structural damage to the property.
4. Loss of Enjoyment
Tenants may be unable to use certain rooms in their homes, making their property unfit to live in.
Landlord Responsibilities for Heating Repairs
By law, landlords must:
- Ensure heating and hot water systems are in working order.
- Carry out repairs within a reasonable timeframe once notified.
- Provide a safe and habitable living environment under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
If your landlord fails in these duties, you can pursue a compensation claim for housing disrepair.
What Can Tenants Claim For?
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we help tenants secure compensation for:
- Illness or health problems caused by living without heating.
- Distress and inconvenience of enduring freezing conditions.
- Damage to belongings, such as frozen or burst pipes ruining carpets and furniture.
- Increased bills due to reliance on costly temporary heating.
- Rent refunds for paying rent on an uninhabitable property.
Steps to Take If Your Heating System Is Broken
- Report the Issue Immediately
Notify your landlord in writing, and keep copies of your letters or emails. - Collect Evidence
- Take photos and videos of broken boilers, radiators, or damp patches.
- Keep medical notes if your health is affected.
- Save utility bills showing extra heating costs.
- Contact Housing Disrepair Claims
Our housing disrepair experts will review your case free of charge and connect you with the best housing disrepair solicitors to pursue your claim.
How Our Solicitors Can Help
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we:
- Provide a free case assessment.
- Draft a Letter of Claim to your landlord demanding urgent repairs.
- Negotiate a fair settlement for your housing disrepair compensation claim.
- Represent you in court if needed.
With the best housing disrepair solicitors on your side, you’ll have the expertise and support to win.
Common Landlord Excuses
Landlords often try to delay repairs with excuses such as:
- “We’re waiting for parts.”
- “The boiler still works sometimes.”
- “It’s too expensive to fix right now.”
But legally, landlords must act quickly to restore heating, particularly in winter. With Housing Disrepair Claims, we challenge these excuses and ensure tenants get results.
Real-Life Examples
- A family was left without heating for three months during winter. Their landlord ignored repeated complaints. With our help, they won £7,500 in housing disrepair compensation and urgent repairs.
- Another tenant’s boiler broke, and the landlord provided only a small electric heater. The tenant’s heating bills tripled. We secured £4,200 in compensation plus full boiler replacement.
These cases show why having housing disrepair experts on your side makes all the difference.
Tenant Rights Under UK Housing Law
Your rights are protected by:
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – requires landlords to keep heating and hot water installations in good repair.
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 – ensures properties must be safe, warm, and habitable.
- Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) – includes heating and cold conditions as key housing hazards.
If your landlord ignores your complaints, you’re legally entitled to pursue a claim with Housing Disrepair Claims.
Compensation Amounts for Broken Heating Systems
Compensation varies depending on:
- The severity of the problem.
- How long repairs were delayed.
- The impact on your health and finances.
Typical payouts:
- Minor issues (short-term heating failure): £1,000–£3,000.
- Moderate disrepair (weeks without heating, added costs): £3,000–£7,500.
- Severe cases (months without heating, serious health problems): £10,000+.
Our goal at Housing Disrepair Claims is to secure the maximum settlement possible for your case.
Practical Tips for Tenants Before Claiming
- Keep a diary of how long you lived without heating.
- Use emails rather than phone calls when contacting your landlord.
- Keep receipts for extra heating appliances or higher energy bills.
- Contact Environmental Health if your landlord refuses to act.
These records will strengthen your claim.
Why Choose Housing Disrepair Claims?
We’re trusted nationwide because:
- ✅ We are dedicated solely to housing disrepair claims.
- ✅ We work with the best housing disrepair solicitors across the UK.
- ✅ We offer no win, no fee agreements.
- ✅ We secure urgent repairs and maximum compensation.
- ✅ We’ve recovered millions in housing disrepair compensation claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I claim if my landlord eventually fixed the heating?
A: Yes. You can still claim for the time you were left without heating.
Q: What if I rent from the council or a housing association?
A: You can still make a housing disrepair claim. Social landlords have the same responsibilities as private landlords.
Q: How long does a claim take?
A: Most cases are resolved within 3–6 months.
Q: Will I need to go to court?
A: Most claims settle out of court, but if needed, our housing disrepair solicitors will represent you.
Final Thoughts
Living without heating isn’t just uncomfortable — it’s dangerous. Landlords have a legal duty to ensure heating systems are in working order, and if they fail, tenants have every right to take action.
At Housing Disrepair Claims, we make the process simple. With our team of housing disrepair experts and the best housing disrepair solicitors, we’ll fight for your rights, secure urgent repairs, and help you win the compensation you deserve.
📞 Contact Housing Disrepair Claims today for a free consultation and let us help you get justice.