[dusty mears]

sorry lindsay but advice to hold back rent can lead to l/lord taking eviction proceedings for rent arrears. It sounds as though l/l or agent is trying to resolve prob but cant for what ever reason. You could make l/lord complaint to council for no heating. They are legally obliged to intervene. It's environmental health at hyndburn. They can "informally" or "formally" intervene and serve notice if necessary. Same advice for any one in private rented accomodation (housing associations included) if l/lord not repairin, etc - local authority statutory duty to resolve!