HAMBLETON District Council has warned landlords across the area to make sure privately-rented homes can stay warm as temperatures drop.

The local authority has advised private landlords to check insulation is sufficient and tenant's central heating systems are working as they should.

Paul Staines, director of leisure and environment at Hambleton District Council said: "We are urging anyone living in rented accommodation who has a limited number of heating units, or if the heating is not working properly, or they are suffering from condensation or mould growth to let their landlords know in the first instance.

"If no improvements are made then they should contact the district council for further advice."

Research from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health revealed that private rented homes were more likely to be poorly insulated, than homes that are owner occupied.

Mr Staines added: "What people do not realise is that cold, damp homes can also affect your health and there is a direct relationship between low indoor temperatures and excess winter deaths.

"Those who are most at risk are the elderly, children and those suffering with long term health conditions."

On January, 11 Hambleton District Council sent a reminder to landlords that legal standards were in place to ensure rented properties met heating and insulation standards.

In April, 2018, new government energy efficiency regulations came into force which meant homes could not be let to new tenants if they had been rated an F or G on an official energy performance certificate.