What it looks like at home
No heating in a rented UK home usually shows up in a familiar pattern: radiators stay cold even though the boiler sounds like it’s trying, the thermostat clicks but nothing changes, or the hot water works while the heating doesn’t. In flats, it often happens after a power cut, a low-pressure lockout, or when the weather turns and the system is switched back on for the first time in months. Tenants commonly notice damp worsening, rooms dropping below comfortable temperatures overnight, and plug-in heaters becoming the default (and expensive) workaround.
Landlords and agents often respond with “reset the boiler” or “bleed the radiators” first. That can be reasonable, but in many UK call-outs the issue is either boiler pressure, a stuck diverter valve, a frozen condensate pipe, or a thermostat/programmer setting that has quietly changed. The key is to do a few safe checks, document what’s happening, and escalate in a way that gets action without creating confusion about access, responsibility, or costs.
Common causes in UK rentals
Check boiler pressure
Low system pressure is one of the most common causes in combi boilers. Many boilers lock out below about 1 bar. After radiator bleeding, minor leaks, or long periods off, pressure can drop. Typical “normal” cold pressure is around 1.0–1.5 bar (the exact range is usually marked on the boiler fascia or manual).
Look for frozen condensate
In cold snaps, the condensate pipe (often a white plastic pipe running outside) can freeze. The boiler may show a fault code and stop firing. This is common in properties where the pipe runs externally for a long distance or is poorly insulated.
Confirm thermostat settings
Thermostats and programmers get knocked, batteries die, or schedules reset after power interruptions. A thermostat set to 18°C when the home is already 19°C will make it look like “no heating” even though the system is behaving normally. Smart thermostats can also lose connection and default to an “off” or low setpoint.
Spot air or sludge
If some radiators heat and others stay cold, trapped air or sludge is likely. Air usually leaves the top of a radiator cold; sludge often leaves the bottom cold. In many UK rentals, older systems haven’t been flushed for years, so circulation problems show up when the heating is first used heavily.
Consider boiler or valve faults
If hot water works but heating does not, a diverter valve or motorised valve fault is common. If neither works, ignition faults, fan/PCB issues, or gas supply problems are possible. These are not tenant-fixable and need a Gas Safe engineer.
Emergency checks that are safe
Confirm power and controls
Check the boiler has power (display on, no tripped fused spur). Confirm the programmer is set to “on” or “auto” with an active schedule. Turn the thermostat up to a clear demand (for example 23–25°C) for ten minutes and listen for boiler activity. If the thermostat uses batteries, replace them and re-pair if it’s a smart system.
Read the boiler display
Note any fault code, flashing lights, or pressure reading. Take a clear photo of the display. In UK call-outs, providing the code and a photo often speeds up triage because agents can pass it straight to the contractor.
Check boiler pressure gauge
If pressure is below the boiler’s minimum, topping up via the filling loop may restore heating. Only do this if the filling loop is accessible and the boiler instructions are clear. Open the valves slowly, watch the gauge rise to the recommended range, then close both valves firmly. If pressure drops again within hours or days, that usually points to a leak or expansion vessel issue and should be reported.
Bleed one cold radiator
If a radiator is cold at the top, bleeding can help. Use a radiator key and a cloth, turn slowly until air hisses, then close when water appears. Re-check boiler pressure afterwards; bleeding can lower it. Avoid bleeding every radiator in a rush if the system is already low on pressure or the boiler is showing a fault.
Inspect for obvious leaks
Look for damp patches under radiators, around valves, and near the boiler. Check for dripping from the pressure relief pipe outside (often a copper pipe). Photograph anything visible. In many UK cases, small leaks are missed until pressure repeatedly drops and the boiler locks out again.
Handle frozen condensate safely
If a frozen condensate pipe is suspected, thawing can sometimes restore the boiler. Use warm (not boiling) water over the external pipe section or a hot water bottle. Reset the boiler afterwards if the manual allows. If the pipe is inaccessible, or repeated freezing occurs, it needs proper insulation and rerouting by a professional.
Use temporary heating carefully
If the home is getting cold, use portable heaters safely: keep clear of soft furnishings, avoid overloading sockets, and never use outdoor heaters or BBQs indoors. If there are vulnerable occupants (babies, elderly, medical conditions), make that clear when reporting the issue because it changes how quickly landlords and agents usually respond.
Reporting it the right way
Send a clear message
Report the issue in writing (email or the agent portal) with: when it started, whether hot water works, boiler pressure reading, any fault code, and what checks were done. Attach photos of the boiler display and thermostat settings. Ask for a repair appointment and confirm availability for access.
Ask about the service history
In UK rentals, delays often happen because nobody can find the last service record or the landlord is unsure who maintains the boiler. Ask when the last Gas Safe service was completed and whether the landlord has a preferred contractor. Keep the request factual and time-stamped.
Keep a temperature log
Note indoor temperatures morning and evening (a phone screenshot from a smart thermostat is fine). If damp or mould is worsening, photograph it. This evidence helps if the problem drags on or if there’s a dispute about how serious it was.
What happens if it’s ignored
When heating problems are left unresolved, the usual outcomes are predictable: condensation increases, mould spreads behind furniture and on window reveals, and tenants rely on electric heaters that push bills up quickly. Boilers that repeatedly lose pressure can deteriorate faster, and small leaks can become bigger leaks. If the property becomes hard to heat, occupants may start blocking vents or drying clothes indoors, which often makes damp worse and can create further repair issues.
From a tenancy perspective, long delays can lead to disputes about rent reductions, compensation, or responsibility for mould. Clear reporting and evidence early on tends to prevent the “it was never reported” argument that sometimes appears later.
When to escalate quickly
Escalate for vulnerable households
If anyone is clinically vulnerable, very young, elderly, or the indoor temperature is dropping sharply, escalation is usually appropriate the same day. State this plainly in the report and request an urgent appointment or temporary heating support.
Escalate for safety concerns
If there is a gas smell, symptoms like dizziness/headaches that improve outside, soot marks, or a carbon monoxide alarm sounding, treat it as an emergency: turn off the appliance if safe, ventilate, and contact the emergency gas number via GOV.UK guidance. Do not attempt further resets.
Escalate for repeated lockouts
If the boiler keeps losing pressure, freezing repeatedly, or showing the same fault code after resets, request a Gas Safe engineer visit rather than repeated “try again” messages. Repeated lockouts are a common sign the underlying fault is being missed.
Gather evidence for disputes
If the agent or landlord disputes the seriousness or delays action, keep: copies of all messages, photos of fault codes, temperature logs, and any receipts for reasonable temporary measures agreed in writing. If the issue leads to arrears or credit problems because costs rise or work is missed, keep records of those knock-on effects too. For related financial disputes, the pattern is similar to other household disputes where evidence and timelines matter, such as a Default notice dispute or cases where a credit score was damaged unfairly.
Practical expectations in UK repairs
Expect triage first
Many letting agents start with basic checks (pressure, reset, thermostat) before booking an engineer. Having the fault code and pressure reading ready usually shortens that stage.
Expect access questions
Delays often come from missed appointments or unclear access. Confirm days/times someone can be in, whether there are pets, and where the boiler is located (kitchen cupboard, airing cupboard, hallway).
Expect parts delays
In winter, common parts can still take days, especially for older boilers. If parts are needed, ask for an estimated timeline and whether temporary heaters will be provided or reimbursed.
FAQ
Can a tenant top up boiler…
Often yes, if the filling loop is accessible and instructions are clear, but it should be done slowly and only to the recommended range. If pressure keeps dropping, report it as a fault rather than repeatedly topping up.
Hot water works but heating doesn’t—what…
Common causes include a diverter valve fault, a motorised valve issue, or a control/thermostat problem. It usually needs an engineer if basic control checks don’t fix it.
How quickly should a landlord fix…
Timescales vary, but loss of heating in cold weather is generally treated as urgent in UK practice. Clear reporting, vulnerability details, and evidence of low temperatures tend to speed up response.
Is it safe to keep resetting…
Occasional resets are normal, but repeated resets without improvement can mask a fault and delay proper repair. If the same error returns, report it with the code and photos.
What if mould appears while heating…
Photograph it early, note dates and temperatures, and report it alongside the heating fault. Mould often worsens quickly when rooms are cold and damp, and it can become a separate dispute if not documented.
Before you move on
Write down the boiler make/model, pressure reading, any fault code, and the indoor temperature right now, then send one clear message to the landlord or agent with photos and your next available access times. If you felt pushed to accept a slow appointment or told there was no time, that’s often a sign the process wasn’t handled properly.
Get help with the next step
If the landlord or agent is delaying, or the problem keeps returning, use the contact form at https://ukfixguide.com/contact/ to outline what’s happened and what evidence is available.
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