The truth about winter renting

Your January energy bill will shock you. It happens every year, yet somehow we’re never quite prepared. This winter, UK energy prices mean the average tenant may spend around £150 a month just keeping their home liveable. But here’s the part many tenants overlook: the difference between struggling and staying comfortable often comes down to understanding which winter habits actually work - and which are costly myths.

The 18-21°C sweet spot

Most tenants waste money because of a simple misunderstanding: you don’t need your home at 23°C to feel warm. Building physics shows that consistent temperatures between 18-21°C, combined with proper layering, offer comfort without the cost spike. Each extra degree above 20°C can increase heating bills by around 10%.

What matters most isn’t the temperature, but the timing. Two hours of targeted heating in the morning and evening often outperforms constant low-level heating. Your body adapts better to steady, predictable warmth.

The radiator mistake costing you money

Cold spots at the top of radiators signal trapped air, forcing your heating system to work harder. Bleeding the radiator-a five-minute job with a £2 key-can improve efficiency and reduce bills. Many tenants skip it and then wonder why their heating feels weak.

And if furniture is pushed up against radiators? You’re heating your sofa instead of your room. Leaving a simple 10cm gap makes a noticeable difference.

The curtain timing trick

Close curtains at dusk, not bedtime. The hours immediately after sunset are when heat loss through windows is highest. Open them again at sunrise to make the most of passive daylight warmth. Thermal curtains help, but timing is more impactful than fabric.

Safety checks that matter

Your landlord must provide a carbon monoxide alarm - but these devices expire after around seven years. Check the date; an old alarm is unreliable even if it beeps on testing.

And if you’re relying on a portable heater, it may signal inadequate heating - a maintenance issue worth reporting. Portable heaters also cause more winter rental fires than any other source.

The communication that protects you

Damp patches, drafts, and weak heating aren’t “just winter problems.” They’re maintenance issues affecting both health and bills. Report concerns in writing - email is fine. Your landlord has legal obligations around habitability, and winter makes issues more urgent.

When to contact your landlord

• Heating failure (emergency - especially below 5°C)
• Visible damp or mould
• Drafts around windows or doors
• Cracked glass or broken window seals

The festive period reality

More guests, more cooking, more decorations. All of this increases energy use and strain on your electrical system. Overloaded extension leads cause blowouts and fire hazards. Heaters, ovens, and multiple fairy lights on one lead? A recipe for tripped circuits - or worse.

What actually improves winter rental life

Forget the Instagram-style hygge ideas. Real winter comfort comes from:

• Consistent, efficient heating routines
• Reporting maintenance issues early
• Knowing tenant vs landlord responsibilities
• Skipping ineffective quick fixes
• Understanding your winter housing rights

Your winter action checklist

• Test your carbon monoxide alarm
• Bleed cold-spot radiators before December
• Pull furniture 10cm away from radiators
• Report damp, mould, or heating concerns in writing
• Use heating timers for morning/evening cycles
• Close curtains at dusk
• Check extension lead limits before plugging in heaters

Struggling with winter rental issues? Get expert advice today and stay warm, safe, and stress-free this season.