How the Cost of Living Crisis Affects Tenants Living in Disrepair

A major impact of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis impacting British households is the dramatic spike in energy costs. There is an average disparity of £372 between low-income families’ Local Housing Allowance and the cost of the cheapest rents in their area, according to crisis statistics published in March 2022. Energy prices will be a major worry for millions of people in 2025, especially renters who are already dealing with the aftermath of property damage. We at SilverOak Solicitors know first hand the devastating effects that damage and high energy bills can have on renters and are here to help you through this difficult time.

Rising Energy Costs and the Impact on Tenants

Once more rising by 27%, the energy price cap raised in January 2024 added more pressure to already strained household budgets. After increases in 2022 and 2023, many homes will see an average monthly energy cost soar from £100 to over £200. Renters on low incomes or who depend on government assistance already have their limited discretionary incomes strained thin, and the increasing prices only make their situation worse.

The increasing cost of electricity might be a major concern for renters residing in deplorable conditions. Tenants of homes with broken windows, poor insulation, or damp and mould use more energy than they would in a well-kept residence as these factors demand more heating. They are stuck with bills for their landlord’s carelessness as the additional energy required to keep these homes warm.

The Impact of Disrepair on Energy Bills

The complicated and immediate effect of maintenance on energy efficiency is felt by a sizable portion of the world’s population. Homes and businesses that aren’t energy efficient are major contributors to global warming. Most houses in the UK are rather old, have inadequate insulation, and are in a state of disrepair, making the problem much worse. When it comes to household energy inefficiency, some of the most common issues are:

• Damaged Windows and Doors: Broken or poorly insulated windows and doors allow cold air in, causing heat to escape and forcing renters to use more heat.
• Damp and Mould: Moisture in the walls and ceilings not only causes health issues but also forces tenants to use more heating to keep their homes warm and dry.
• Poor Insulation: Lack of appropriate insulation in walls, floors, or ceilings causes significant heat loss, so tenants spend extra to keep their houses at a comfortable temperature.

Under these circumstances, heating a house in ruin costs far more than heating a property in good condition. Although landlords have legal obligations to maintain the property, tenants may find themselves left to pay these bills without any recourse.

How to Address Disrepair Without Withholding Rent

Though it could be tempting to stop paying rent should your landlord neglect to maintain your house, this is not advised. Legally, tenants can’t refuse to pay rent. If they do, they could end up behind on their rent, face legal action from the owner, or even be evicted. Instead, there are the right things you can do to deal with problems with disrepair:

• Report the Disrepair to Your Landlord: Tell your landlord as soon as you find the damage compromising the energy efficiency of your house. Make sure you report using the process described in your tenancy agreement. You should keep thorough notes of your contacts with your landlord; written reports are usually the best way to record your issues.

• Give Your Landlord Time to Respond: Legally, landlords have to reply to claims of damage within a “reasonable” period. The degree of the problem will determine what reasonable is, but it’s important to offer them the chance to fix it.

• Escalate the Issue if Necessary: You can escalate the problem if your landlord ignores your complaint or does nothing at all. You can also seek aid from the Housing Ombudsman and Citizens Advice provides useful direction on how to take additional action.

• Consult a Housing Disrepair Solicitor: SilverOak Solicitors can assist you if your owner continues to disregard your concerns. If you’ve suffered damage to your house, we can assist you in filing a civil claim that may result in the reimbursement of your increased energy bills. To safeguard your rights as a tenant and avoid being held financially responsible for your landlord’s negligence, it is advisable to retain the services of a legal professional.

How SilverOak Solicitors Can Help

SilverOak Solicitors’ area of experience is helping renters whose landlords haven’t taken care of their buildings. If damage to your home makes your energy bills go up, you might be able to get them back. We could help you with:

• Gathering evidence of the disrepair and its impact on your energy consumption.
• Investigating legal action to guarantee your landlord performs their duties.
• Seeking reimbursement for the damage caused by the bad state of your house, which has raised expenses.

Due to the rising cost of living, people are finding it difficult to pay their bills. Renters residing in dilapidated houses are the ones who suffer the most. This problem is difficult, but you don’t have to solve it on your own. If you want to make sure that the owner maintains a safe and rentable residence, SilverOak Solicitors can assist you.

Start Your Housing Disrepair Claim Today

This is the time to act if unresolved house repairs are raising your energy bills. Given the ongoing rise in energy rates, it is imperative to take quick care of any damage. Get in touch with SilverOak Solicitors now to review your situation and determine how we could help you to hold your landlord accountable. We will move quickly to ensure any damage is corrected; if necessary, we can help you file a claim for reimbursement to help offset your mounting costs.

Don’t let your landlord’s negligence make the cost-of-living crisis even harder for you. Reach out to SilverOak Solicitors for expert guidance and support.