AIBU to ask my landlord to upgrade to double glazed windows in my flat?

[laura29121]

Hi everyone
I live in a 2 bed flat with my 2 DC (5 and 1yrs old). It is a fairly large block of flats and we are the only flat to still have single glazed windows. I wouldn't mind this if it didn't cause so many problems. The window in the lounge is very large and doesn't actually shut entirely, when I shut it there is a (albeit small) gap. This causes massive issues in the winter as there is a constant draught and water drips through. It is the same problem in my DC's bedroom and there is also mould due to this. My heating bill is extortionate as the radiator in the lounge is directly under the window that won't close, so the heat quite literally goes out the window. The problem I have is that my landlord is very "stingy" and reluctant to fix anything. AIBU to request double glazing? I never knew it would cause so many problems. My next door neighbour has also informed me that the previous tenants moved out due to this. Any help appreciated, I'm a single mum living on my own for the first time, so feel a bit clueless! Thank you :)

You can ask, but your rent is likely to reflect the fact that your windows are single glazed and could well go up if he did agree. You should ask to have them repaired as the rain is causing damage to the property. Ultimately, as long as it reaches the required standards, he doesn’t need to do anything.

It might be worth asking Env Health at the council for advice. It might contravene some regs or there may be a grant available.

At the very least they will be able to advise your legal position.

Thank you, my rent isn't overly cheap and the flat was in a real state when I took it on. I have completely redecorated and put down new carpets in every room (apart from the bathroom and kitchen where I had hard floor put down). I know he did appreciate this so I hope he will hear me out :)

Not unreasonable to ask, but be prepared for the landlord to say no...

You'd have been better off asking in the winter (when it was topical and you were really feeling it and the LL might have found it easier to empathise).

If they say no, ask about secondary glazing. This can be a professionally fitted 'extra' window attached inside the original window, or there are DIY transparent film options. Have a Google - if your LL declines, you might want to ask permission to try one of the DIY options yourself.

you can ask but landlord is v unlikely to do it. He'd say that a flat with double glazing would have higher rent.

you can fix the gaps in the windows yourself with that expanding foam tape and put an extra layer of 'clingfilm glazing' (can't remember the proper name) over the windows in the winter to act as double glazing. It looks tacky but does make a difference to keeping things warm.

Asking specifically for double glazing no as you rented a flat without it and this would be an grade not a repair.

Asking for repairs to be made to the window and the mould to be treated yes, as this is ensuring the property is fit and habital. If the solution to this happens to be double glazing then great.

If your request is refused or ignored I believe you can ask for your councils environmental health team to inspect and could probably contact them or Shelter for advise on how to approach it. A window in need of repair is clear cut, but mould can be trickier to prove that it's the fault of the property and not the tenant. One claim often made is that the tenant is not adequately heating the property so perhaps if this is raised you could you your bills to dispute this.

Have you got an energy performance certificate, OP?

I think it's this year that EPCs become compulsory for rented properties. All rented properties have to be rated at least E, and if yours isn't, he might find that new windows would uprate it to E or above.

But even if that's not the case, or the property is rated E or higher you're entitled to a property that is watertight, so I'd ask him to fix the windows because they leak.

And @lidoshuffle is right, the council's environmental health department are the people to ask.

I'd be really surprised if the landlord agreed to upgrade the property.

@LakieLady thank you, that's helpful. The flat doesn't have an EPC certificate and I'm pretty certain it won't reach 'E'. How do I obtain a certificate for the flat? Or is this something my landlord has to do?

Cant understand why the flat was in a state when you took it on? You've had to replace a hard floor?

You can search for one here www.epcregister.com/

Our landlord had to provide the certificate, before we signed the lease.

I was also going to ask about the EPC. It's illegal to rent out any dwelling (except rooms in HMOs) without one. So that is your starting point in negotiations with the LL.

It was very dirty and extremely run down, I only took it on at the time because I was going through a relationship breakdown and was also pregnant with my son. Nobody else was accepting me and I was desperate. I don't regret it, though. Bar the window situation I've turned it in to lovely, cosy little home for me and the kids. :) Nice neighbours, too.

Thanks everyone, this is all really helpful.

When did you move in? The EPC should have been provided at the time. Did you go through an estate agent?

The problem I have is that my landlord is very "stingy" and reluctant to fix anything.

This is enough to tell you the LL will never pay for double glazing. You’re on a hiding to nothing.

Better off moving.

@LGY1 no, a private landlord. I've been here for 1.5yrs

The landlord shouldn’t be renting a flat without an EPC that is illegal! Is it in a listed building?!
Did you rent it through an agent?

Is your deposit protected? Have you seen the How To Rent Guide? The whole set up sounds a bit shit.

Gotten good advice OP.
But for next winter, look into getting temporary secondary window glazing film. It is essentially plastic that you tape over your window using double sided tape (included). Then you use a hair dryer to make it nice and tight. The downside is you can’t then get fresh air in the house. So don’t use it on a bathroom window. For a 2bed flat, one kit costing less than £8 will do for you.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00AL8L20I?linkCode=ogi&psc=1&th=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

You / landlord maybe able to get a grant to make the house more energy efficient. It might be worth investigating if there is any such scheme in your area and taking this to your landlord? He may be more inclined to say yes if it's funded?

LL here... I am absolutely astonished that you have paid for new carpets out of your own pocket. In truth, I would expect the LL to reduce rent to effectively pay you back over time. I have a similar deal in place with my tenant who is a carpenter and has redone all the banisters and skirting boards in the house - he has cheaper rent as a result. The fact that you are getting nothing out of this worries me, and says a lot about the Landlord and how he is likely to view you (a mug, sorry to be harsh but that's the truth of it).

To replace all the windows on a flat (you don't say if it is an upstairs or downstairs) is likely to be in the region of £10k depending on the number and size of windows. You've already said that he is stingy, and have proven yourself willing to upgrade his property on your own dime. So the chances of him spending that kind of money is unlikely at best.

The EPC is your way in here - if you haven't been given the How to Rent Guide, a copy of your Deposit Protection Certificate and a copy of your EPC then you have got him bang to rights, and could potentially sue him for a lot of money (x3 the deposit amount if your deposit is not legally protected).

So without wishing to sound nasty, you might be able to get him to do the windows, but you're probably going to have to play hardball and fight it.

It's up to you if you want to have that fight, or abandon the money you put into the carpets and move somewhere nicer.

Landlords have had to provide EPCs for over a decade. They need renewing every 10 years. I’m a ll and I’ve already had to renew mine.

As for the DG you can’t ask for it as others have said. But the windows should not be ill fitting or drafty. Unfortunately you may find the ll doesn’t actually appreciate the decoration and carpets as much as you think if he now is being asked to shell out cash. The cynic in me is wondering if he thinks he has you over a barrel as you won’t leave as you’ve invested so much in the place. And if you do he’s got all nice new carpets.

You can only ask, he maybe willing to do the troublesome windows first and the others further down the line..