The residents of the Belastingflat in Emmen want the landlord to do something about the heat in their homes. About three-quarters gave this signal via a signature campaign by tenants Bernard Hoevers and Ron Brands.
In the apartment of Hoevers and his wife Tonia, the thermostat indicates 24.5 degrees. “But in the evening it rises to 27 degrees,” says Hoevers. A fan in the back of the living room provides a pleasant cool airflow in the accommodation. “Without you soon sweat carrots when the heat increases.”
In recent weeks, the changeable weather with many downpours ensured that the temperature was not too bad. But in the period before that, the sun showed itself a lot. And they noticed that, according to Bernard and Tonia. Sweating and not being able to sleep at night. The mercury crept to and over thirty degrees for quite some time. Tonia: “It’s anything but comfortable.” And it hardly cools down during the night hours, according to the two. In that case, a fan brings little relief.
During the renovation, the Tax Flat was fitted with heat-resistant glass at ‘strategic locations’. Bernard: “It would save 60 percent less heat compared to regular glass.
With the door and windows closed it makes a difference of 1 or 2 degrees, but in our experience it doesn’t make much difference.” Air conditioners are also not allowed. “That is stated in the rental contract.” the energy management, Hoevers understood. Initially, underfloor heating with a cooling effect was to be installed. “Instead, radiator panels were installed that cannot do that.”
Hoevers listened to other tenants. Because were he and his wife the only ones struggling with the heat? “I noticed that several people recognized these complaints.” Bernard and others reported this to Refind.nl, the building manager and landlord of the flat.
But initially there was no response, says Hoevers. “There would be a newsletter with text and explanation.” When that letter arrived, Hoevers was anything but happy. “There were all kinds of tips in it. Like keep doors and windows closed, close the curtains and install fans. We had already thought of that ourselves. Moreover, it doesn’t work enough.”
He and fellow resident Rob Brands decided to set up the signature campaign. “Most of them didn’t discuss it. Where can I sign? That’s how most of them reacted.” The action yielded a total of 59 signatures (there are 82 homes in the flat). “Total good for a response of around 70 percent,” says Hoevers.
An e-mail with this outcome was sent to Refind.nl and project developer Saxum en Firmum, who were responsible for the renovation of the flat at the time. “That was now more than two weeks ago and we have had no response. There are so many residents who run into this. You expect something,” said an irritated Hoevers.
According to Brands it is not warm, but hot on sunny days. “I just bought an air conditioner myself. It’s not really allowed, but otherwise I can’t sleep. It’s a huge problem that you have to do something with as a landlord.”
In the suggestions made by the landlord, it was also proposed to attach screens to the outside of the windows by means of suction cups. “Because nothing is allowed permanently in front of the windows. But then I have to arrange some monkeys across the street at the animal park to stick them on, because you can’t reach all the windows by yourself. Moreover, those screens are damaged with the first strong gust of wind away.” Electric screens on the outside seem to him to be the most appropriate option. “Look at surrounding residential complexes. It’s a very common solution.”