In the midst of a national energy crisis, hundreds of thousands of tenants remain exposed to unfair bills. Those on communal heating systems are not protected by the Energy Price Cap, leaving them vulnerable to unregulated and unfair heating charges.

They cannot change supplier. 

Bills can be increased without any limit. 

Tenants are trapped with unaffordable costs. 

"Nobody should risk losing their home because of their energy bills. What frightens me most is that if this can happen once, it can happen again." (Kirsty)

Many council tenants face threats of eviction, with unpaid energy bills often considered rent or ‘service charge’ arrears. Thousands of tenants have been forced into an impossible choice - should they feed their family or risk losing their home?

Who is bringing this case?

Kirsty is a council tenant in the London Borough of Lambeth and a local campaigner against unfair energy costs. 

In 2023, Lambeth Council increased energy bills by 350%, forcing her to pay a staggering £4,344.60 a year for her heating and hot water. Including electricity, her total annual bill was over £5,000 - almost 2.5 times the price cap. 

Lambeth have repeatedly refused Kirsty’s request for a breakdown of how her charges are calculated. She is in effect subject to arbitrary demands for heating and hot water costs that are not governed by her tenancy agreement or any published policy.

Kirsty is charged the same for her heating, even if she never turns it on. There is nothing she can do to reduce her bills.

"I never imagined I would one day face losing my home because of my heating bills. Our communal heating costs increased around 350% in one year. The debts piled up, I went into arrears and Lambeth Council started legal proceedings to take my flat." (Kirsty)

Kirsty’s situation is not unique. 

With 66% of all heat networks owned and managed by registered social landlords, the poorest in society are disproportionally affected. Yet tenants in social housing have the least protection against unfair price hikes. 

Global events will continue to impact energy bills. Kirsty and others in her position cannot wait for another shock to their energy bills. 

Donate now to support Kirsty and other council tenants

We are raising £10,000 to challenge unfair tenancy agreements that allow landlords to increase the costs for heating and hot water without constraint and without explanation. 

"The bailiffs were on their way and the locksmith was downstairs. I was only minutes away from being made homeless. No one should have to live through something like that because of their heating bills.” (Lambeth Tenant)

What are we trying to achieve? 

We have asked the court to strike down clauses in our client's tenancy agreement, which allow the council to increase her heating and hot water charges without providing information on how charges are calculated, without explaining the circumstances which will lead to increases, and without any limit on total costs. 

We argue that such terms are unfair and a breach of Kirsty’s consumer rights. We also argue that they breach her rights under the Human Rights Act, in particular her peaceful enjoyment of property. 

Whilst our case is against Lambeth Council, such clauses are widespread and a success in this claim would force other councils and social housing providers to reconsider similarly unfair terms across the country. 

How much we are raising and why? 

We are raising £10,000 to protect our client against adverse costs were she to lose her case. 

We have issued an application for judicial review in the High Court. But Kirsty now needs funds to apply for a 'costs capping order'. This will limit her liability for Lambeth Council's costs if she loses her case. 

Without your support Kirsty will not be able to continue her claim. 

Where will my money go? 

All funds raised will go towards Kirsty's legal costs and to allow her challenge against these unfair and exploitative price hikes. At the end of the case, any money left over will go into a fighting fund to protect others challenging systemic injustice. 

To learn more, visit the Lambeth Tenants Heat Campaign website. Or if you’d like further information about the case, please get in touch at [email protected].

Thank you for your support and solidarity, 

PILC