Housing & renting
What if the rental is cold, damp, or feels unsafe?
Healthy Homes standards cover heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture, and drainage — raise issues with the landlord and Tenancy Services.
Rentals must meet Healthy Homes standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping (with timing rules for when standards apply). If your home is persistently cold, damp, or mouldy, document it with photos and dates, then write to the landlord asking for repairs.
Tenancy Services explains the standards and how to escalate if repairs do not happen. Serious health risk or safety issues may need faster pathways — including Healthline for health advice and 111 if anyone is in immediate danger.
You do not have to stay silent to “keep the peace.” Clear, dated requests protect you later if a dispute arises.
Calm next moves
- Photo mould, leaks, and thermometer readings if you have them.
- Put repair requests in writing.
- Tenancy Services — healthy homes pages
Official resources
Always confirm details on the official site — laws and processes can change.
Educational signposting only from the Resilience Programme. Not legal, financial, or medical advice. Updated 2026-07-10.