There’s nothing worse than coming home on a freezing winter night, only to find your heating isn’t working or your boiler has packed in.
No hot water, no warmth. It’s more than just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous.
If you live in council housing or a housing association property, you might be wondering what should your landlord be doing about heating and water issues, and how quickly?
Let’s clear that up.
Your Landlord’s Responsibility
By law, your landlord must make sure your home has:
- A working heating system
- Hot water available for washing and bathing
- Safe gas and electrical systems
If these stop working, your landlord is legally responsible for fixing them. It’s not optional, they can’t ignore it or expect you to live without heat.
How Quickly Should Repairs Be Done?
Heating and hot water are classed as urgent repairs. That means your landlord should:
- Act within 24 hours of you reporting the problem (in many cases, they’re expected to send someone out the same day).
- Provide a temporary solution if the full repair can’t be done straight away e.g. supplying electric heaters until your boiler is fixed.
If days or weeks are going by without action, your landlord may be breaching their legal duty.
What You Should Do
Here’s a simple step-by-step if you’re stuck without heating this winter:
- Report the problem immediately – call, email, or use your landlord’s online reporting system. Always keep a record.
- Follow up – if nothing happens quickly, report again and keep a copy of your reports!
- Document everything – note dates, take photos of boiler error codes, and keep evidence of any health impact (like medical notes if the cold is making you ill).
- Seek legal help if ignored – if they drag their feet, you don’t have to just put up with it.
How We Can Help
We know how stressful it is to live without heating or hot water, especially in the coldest months of the year.
No one should have to pile on extra blankets while their landlord ignores urgent repairs.
If your council or housing association hasn’t fixed your boiler or heating after you’ve reported it, we can step in.
Our team will guide you through your rights, explain your options clearly, and help you get the repairs and compensation you’re entitled to.
Don’t spend this winter without proper heating. Contact our team today, and let’s make sure your home is safe, warm, and fit to live in.
