I just watched some video about Yakutsk Siberia which is meant to be the coldest city in the world. Thought “Those poor bastards, wonder what they need to wear indoors when it is -40 outside.”
Turns out a pissing tank top and PJ bottoms. We really need to start demanding better things in this country don’t we?
I’m also reading a book about coal mining. All the unpaid labour, minimising wages and dodgy things the bosses did then still happens now. Now I’m not a tankie so don’t get the wrong idea here. But why are we all okay living like this I don’t get it? Why is the UK population so forgiving at living it shit conditions.
Also I’m going to jump in before anyone says no insulation keeps you cold in the summer. Insulation works both ways, it can keep heat out or it can keep heat in. It’s better in the summer and in the winter.
Siberia video in question:
https://youtu.be/K0z7Avc9ZtY?si=_KTob2YYMn2HLwkv
Also I hope I havent broken any rules. I can’t see any. This seems mostly news posts but I guess text posts are allowed? Sorry if not.
Sorry, not in the UK, post popped up on “All”.
You guys don’t have insulation requirements?
https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/identify_problems_you_want_fix/diy_checks_inspections/insulation_r_values
You landlord when you talk about what they need to do in regards to mould or insulation in your house.
My last place wouldn’t let me go into the attic to see what insulation was up there and on the energy certificate the guy wrote “assumed” for the attic. Now sure there is a really low minimum level as a landlord and sure there is a free money given to you from the government if you install good insulation in the attic. But what’s the point? It’s just so much effort to make a couple of phone calls. It’s far easier to just add to the contract that the tenant needs to heat their house sufficiently to prevent mould, no excuses. Then it’s not your problem!
I would support additional taxes on Landlords inversely proportional to the energy rating of the house. Currently there is no incentive for landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. At least when you “own” a house the action to improve it is on you.
I’d support some benefit for improving houses that are owned, too.
It’s a bit frustrating if you decide to improve the insulation, but it doesn’t move the needle on property value, because a large enough chunk of the market does not care.
There are various insulation schemes you can apply for but they are usually limited in who can apply. You probably don’t want to pay for Lord Farqwa upgrading his 16 bed converted wheel house pad.
Indeed, currently I think it’s band D or below for insulation quality, and household income of £30k.
And make sure to open windows regularly to stop condensation, coincidentally letting out all the bastard heat.
Lol no amount of heating or ventilating with negate the fact that when it rains hard outside it also rains inside my house. My landlord doesn’t give a fuck but I still let him know every single time it is raining indoors so when he inevitably tries to shaft me out of my deposit I have records of telling him it needs fixing every fucking time -_-
Who needs extractor fans with gas heating?
The draft will sort it anyway.
I suspect it’s more that the requirements are lower and the buildings are on average older than in Yakutsk, which contribute to less effective insulation.
I think some motivation is that half-assing your shelter in Yakutsk is dangerous, not merely uncomfortable.
The soviets are known for strict building code and untouchable policing
We absolutely do, on new properties, and on change-of-use.
And we have requirements that rented properties have to at least hit a certain level. As wanderer says below, because of the state of the rental market, there are a lot of shitty landlords just ignoring what they can.