We have lived in a rented house for more than 35 years. The house suffers from damp and the windows are so rotten the glass is nearly falling out. However the landlord says he would have to more than double the rent in order to be able to afford to carry out the repairs.
You should see a solicitor about this, taking your tenancy agreement with you. Your landlord will have an obligation to carry out the repairs: saying he can’t afford it is no excuse! You may be entitled to compensation if he is in breach of the terms of your lease. Since your tenancy agreement was drawn up prior to the Housing Act 1988 the chances are that the rent is controlled by the local authority, so he wouldn’t be able to increase it at will.