Broken Boiler - Your Rights to Heating and Hot Water
No heating or hot water? Your landlord must fix it. Know the timeframes and your options.
Your landlord is legally responsible for keeping heating and hot water systems in working order. If your boiler breaks, especially in cold weather, they should fix it urgently.
Your Rights
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep installations for space heating and water heating in repair and proper working order. This includes the boiler, radiators, and hot water tank.
If you have no heating or hot water in cold weather, this is an emergency. Your landlord should respond within 24 hours.
Steps to Take
- Report the problem to your landlord immediately, in writing
- Check if there's a simple fix (thermostat, timer, pressure)
- Ask for a specific timeframe for repair
- If not fixed urgently, contact your local council
- In extreme cold, you may need temporary heating - keep receipts
If You're Vulnerable
If you're elderly, have young children, are disabled, or have a health condition affected by cold, make this clear to your landlord. The council may prioritise your case.
Document low temperatures in your home. If it's regularly below 18°C when the heating should be on, this is a health hazard.
Official Sources
Need more help?
Get free, confidential advice from housing experts.
Related Guides
Mould and Damp in Rented Property
Your rights when dealing with mould. Awaab's Law, landlord responsibilities, and how to get repairs done.
12 minIllegal Eviction - What To Do
Emergency guide if your landlord changes the locks or tries to force you out without a court order.
10 minLandlord Won't Do Repairs - Your Options
Step-by-step guide when your landlord ignores repair requests. Environmental Health, legal action, and more.
12 min