Yes, in most cases. If cold air is getting in through a broken window frame, a failed seal, or gaps around the window, this is a repair your landlord must
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The short answer
Yes, in most cases. If cold air is getting in through a broken window frame, a failed seal, or gaps around the window, this is a repair your landlord must fix. Draughts caused by a defective window are a structural repair, and the law is on your side.
Key facts
- The 2024 to 2025 English Housing Survey found about 2% of homes in England had excess cold as a category 1 (most serious) hazard, rising to 3% of privately rented homes. Draughts from broken frames and failed seals are one cause of a home that cannot stay warm. English Housing Survey 2024-25, GOV.UK
What the law says
Under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, your landlord must keep the structure and exterior of your home in good repair. Windows, including their frames and seals, are part of the structure. If a window frame has rotted, a seal has failed, or there is a gap letting cold air in, your landlord has a legal duty to repair it.
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 adds another layer. Your home must be fit to live in throughout your tenancy. A home that is draughty and difficult to keep warm may fail this test, especially in winter.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is the framework local councils use to assess hazards in rented homes. Excess cold is a Category 1 hazard under HHSRS if your home cannot maintain an adequate temperature. Draughty windows can contribute directly to this.
Draughts versus condensation: what is the difference?
This matters because the rules are different.
Draughts happen when cold air physically enters your home through gaps, broken frames, or failed seals. This is a structural defect and the landlord's responsibility.
Condensation on the inside of glass is usually caused by warm, moist air inside the home hitting a cold surface. This can sometimes be affected by how you heat and ventilate your home. In many cases, if the double glazing itself is not broken, condensation between the panes is the landlord's issue, but condensation on the inner surface can involve tenant behaviour too.
If you are unsure, focus on whether there is a physical defect you can see or feel: a gap, a broken frame, a failed seal. That is what you need to report.
How to report it
Report the problem to your landlord in writing. An email or text message works, as it creates a record with a date.
In your message:
- Describe the problem clearly ("cold air is coming in around the bottom of the bedroom window frame")
- Attach photos showing the gap or damage
- If you have a thermometer, include a reading taken in the room on a cold day
- Ask for the repair to be carried out within a reasonable time
Keep a copy of everything you send.
What if your landlord ignores you?
If your landlord does not respond or refuses to act, you have several options.
Your local council can inspect your home under HHSRS. If they find a Category 1 hazard, they have powers to order your landlord to carry out repairs. Contact the private sector housing or environmental health team.
Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 82 lets you take your landlord to a magistrates' court yourself if the condition of your home amounts to a statutory nuisance. A local law centre or housing charity can help you with this.
Housing disrepair claim: if the draught has caused you harm, such as high heating bills, illness, or damage to your belongings, you may have grounds for a compensation claim.
This applies whether you rent from a private landlord or a social landlord such as a housing association or council.
A note for tenants in Wales
The same rules apply in Wales. The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 also requires your landlord to keep your home in good repair and fit to live in. The HHSRS framework applies across England and Wales.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
Contact us if your landlord has not responded to your repair request within a reasonable time, or if the draughts are making your home cold, causing damp, or affecting your health. We can help you understand whether you have a claim and guide you through the next steps.
No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Call us on 0800 030 4669.
Sources
- Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (legislation.gov.uk)
Related articles
- How long can a landlord leave you without heating?
- My home is too cold: excess cold explained
- How to report damp to your landlord
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only and not guaranteed; every case is different.
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