Sadiq Khan unveils plan to tackle overheating in homes

The Mayor of London has announced measures to tackle overheating in homes.

Sadiq Khan has unveiled the Heat Ready London plan, which will require new-build homes to be designed to reduce the risk of overheating

The news comes as landlords will need to meet EPC C targets by 2030.

One million homes at risk of overheating

According to data by the London Assembly, more than one million homes may be at high risk of overheating.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the plan will help the capital adapt to rising temperatures:

He said: “Rising temperatures are no longer a future threat, they are becoming a growing reality for Londoners. It is affecting our communities, from homes and high streets to schools, hospitals and care services.

“That is why I am proud to unveil Heat Ready London, London’s first-ever heat plan. This is a new vision that will help tackle the huge obstacles we face with rising temperatures.

“No single organisation can address the scale of the challenge alone, so this is a call to action to our partners to use this framework to drive collective delivery so we can protect lives and strengthen the resilience of our city.”

Risk of indoor overheating

Under the plans, Mr Khan said London is already tackling overheating through the London Plan, which requires new homes to be designed to stay cooler in hot weather using measures such as shading, ventilation and smarter design, helping to reduce the need for energy-intensive cooling.

The Mayor added: “Addressing overheating in much of London’s existing housing is a key priority and will require coordinated action across government, councils and the housing sector to keep Londoners safe and comfortable as temperatures rise”.

Under the Heat Ready London plan, this will include retrofitting the highest-risk homes to reduce the risk of indoor overheating and protect the most vulnerable, particularly in high-risk areas.