Heating & Boiler Claims

Heating & Boiler Problem Claims Manchester

A broken boiler, cold radiators or no hot water is more than an inconvenience — it is a breach of your landlord's legal obligations. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep heating and hot water installations in repair and proper working order. If they have failed to do so after being notified, you may be entitled to compensation and court-ordered repairs.

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Recognise the Problem

Signs of Heating & Boiler Problems

If you are experiencing any of the following, your landlord may be in breach of their repair obligations.

  • Boiler not firing up or frequently cutting out
  • No hot water or intermittent hot water supply
  • Radiators not heating up or cold spots in radiators
  • Unusual banging, kettling or gurgling noises from the boiler or pipes
  • Boiler displaying error codes or fault lights
  • Rooms that are consistently cold despite heating being on
  • Visible signs of a boiler leak (water pooling underneath)
  • Pilot light that keeps going out
  • Strong smell of gas — leave the property immediately, do not use electrical switches or naked flames, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
The Law

Your Landlord's Legal Obligations

Several overlapping laws require your landlord to maintain heating and hot water.

Section 11, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

Your landlord must keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the dwelling for space heating and water heating. This covers boilers, radiators, pipework and controls. The obligation cannot be contracted out of and applies to most residential tenancies.

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998

Your landlord must arrange an annual gas safety check carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer and provide you with a copy of the gas safety record within 28 days of the check, or before you move in. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

Under the HHSRS, excess cold is classified as a Category 1 hazard — the most serious category. A home that cannot be adequately heated poses a serious risk to health, particularly for elderly tenants, children and those with respiratory conditions. Local authorities have a duty to take enforcement action when a Category 1 hazard is identified.

Awaab's Law Phase 2

Coming Nov 2026

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 extends Awaab's Law to cover the excess cold hazard. Phase 2 commences on 30 November 2026 and will set strict timescales for social landlords to investigate and repair heating failures, mirroring the damp and mould timescales introduced in Phase 1. Social landlords who fail to act within the prescribed periods will face enforcement action. This is a significant upcoming change that strengthens tenants' rights.

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

This Act requires landlords to ensure their properties are fit for human habitation throughout the tenancy. A property without adequate heating or hot water is unlikely to meet this standard, giving tenants a direct right to take action in the county court.

The Process

How We Handle Your Heating Claim

We manage every step so you can focus on your family — not paperwork.

Your Claim Journey

4 STEPS · NO UPFRONT COST
  1. 01
    Report

    Tell us about the disrepair in a 2-minute form or by phone.

  2. 02
    Free Inspection

    An independent surveyor inspects your home at no cost to you.

  3. 03
    We Notify Your Landlord

    We formally serve notice and demand repairs and compensation.

  4. 04
    Repairs & Compensation

    Your home is fixed and you receive the compensation you're owed.

What You Could Receive

Compensation for Heating & Boiler Problems

Every case is different, but courts regularly award compensation under the following headings.

General Damages

Compensation for the discomfort, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment of your home caused by living without adequate heating, particularly during winter months.

Special Damages

Reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs such as portable heaters you purchased, increased electricity bills from running fan heaters, and the cost of alternative accommodation if the property was uninhabitable.

Health-Related Damages

Additional compensation if the cold has caused or worsened health problems such as respiratory conditions, arthritis or circulation issues. Vulnerable tenants — the elderly, young children and those with pre-existing conditions — may receive higher awards.

Seasonal Considerations

Courts treat heating failures in winter significantly more seriously than in summer. A boiler that breaks down in December and is not repaired until March will attract higher damages than the same failure in July.

Estimate your compensation with our free calculator
Common Questions

Heating & Boiler Claims FAQs

Is my landlord responsible for fixing the boiler?+
Yes. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord is legally responsible for keeping in repair and proper working order the installations for space heating and water heating. This includes the boiler, radiators, pipes and any gas fires provided as part of the property. The obligation applies regardless of whether the tenancy agreement says otherwise.
How quickly should my landlord fix a broken boiler?+
There is no single statutory deadline that applies to all landlords today, but a complete loss of heating or hot water is treated as an urgent repair. Most housing associations and councils classify it as a 24-hour emergency in winter and a priority repair at other times. From 30 November 2026, Awaab's Law Phase 2 will set strict timescales for social landlords to investigate and remedy excess cold hazards, including heating failures.
Can I claim if my landlord provided temporary heaters?+
Yes. Providing portable electric heaters does not discharge your landlord's duty to repair the actual heating system. Temporary heaters are inadequate substitutes: they are expensive to run, do not heat the whole property, and can be a fire risk. Courts routinely award compensation even where temporary heaters were supplied, and you may also claim the additional energy costs as special damages.
What is Awaab's Law Phase 2 and how does it affect heating claims?+
Awaab's Law was introduced by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from prolonged exposure to mould. Phase 1 set strict timescales for damp and mould repairs. Phase 2, commencing 30 November 2026, extends the same framework to the excess cold hazard. Social landlords will be required to investigate heating failures and complete repairs within prescribed timescales, strengthening tenants' position in disrepair claims.
What should I do if I smell gas in my rented property?+
If you smell gas, leave the property immediately, do not use electrical switches or naked flames, open windows if safe to do so, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This is a free 24-hour service. Once the immediate danger is dealt with, report the issue to your landlord in writing and contact us to discuss a disrepair claim if the problem arose from a failure to maintain the gas installation.
Other Issues

We Also Handle These Housing Problems

Damp & Mould

Black mould on walls, ceilings or window frames, a serious health hazard your landlord must fix.

Learn more

Leaks & Water Damage

Persistent leaks from roofs, pipes or plumbing that damage your home and belongings.

Learn more

Pest Infestation

Rats, mice, cockroaches or bedbugs entering through structural defects your landlord ignores.

Learn more

Structural Damage

Cracks, subsidence, sagging floors, unsafe stairs or crumbling brickwork left unrepaired.

Learn more

Electrical Issues

Faulty wiring, dead sockets, unsafe fuse boards or exposed cables putting your home at risk.

Learn more
Areas We Cover

Heating & Boiler Claims Across Greater Manchester

We handle heating and boiler disrepair claims for tenants in every Greater Manchester borough.

ManchesterOldhamSalfordBoltonBuryRochdaleStockportTamesideTraffordWigan
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