Too hot to handle
Question
I live in student accommodation that is managed by a letting agency. It's really hot at the moment and I can't concentrate on anything because we're not allowed to open our windows very wide.
We're not allowed to open our windows for two reasons: to prevent suicides; and to stop them throwing things out of the windows.
My flat is unbearable and I just think we should be able to take responsibility for our own behaviour. Are my landlords allowed to do this? And if they are, can I request a fan as an alternative to having an open window?
Answer
We're sorry to hear about the problems you're having in your flat at the moment, especially this close to your final exams.
Most people who rent a student flat from a private company are assured shorthold tenants. If you think you have a different type of tenancy, or the university is your landlord, you'll need to get further advice.
There are rules about whether your home is fit for human habitation. These rules are set out in the Fitness Standard. Amongst other things, the Fitness Standard looks at whether your flat has adequate provision for heating, lighting and ventilation. It recommends that ventilation should be good enough to provide one air change per hour in habitable rooms (living room, bedroom etc) and up to three per hour in bathrooms and toilets.
If you don't think that the ventilation is good enough, you can try to negotiate with the landlord before you look at ways to try to make them to do something. You can ask for a fan, but the landlord isn't obliged to provide one. If you're not successful in negotiating with the landlord, you can take the case to the local environmental health officer. It's important to bear in mind that the type of tenancy that you have has very limited security. You can be evicted easily, even if you haven't done anything wrong. Landlords will sometimes take steps to evict someone they feel is causing a nuisance, rather than deal with the situation.
If your landlord tries to evict you without following the correct procedures, you can get help from a local advice service.
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Question answered by Shelter
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