PRS homes fall short on thermal comfort standards as HHSRS rules come into force
More than 441,000 private rented homes fail thermal comfort standards, according to new data.
Research by Inventory Base reveals around 40% of PRS homes fall short as updated Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) rules came into force last week.
The government announced landlords could face on-the-spot fines of £7,000 for severe damp and mould under new council powers.
How homes perform during periods of extreme summer heat
The new HHSRS system, which came into force last week, reduces hazard categories from 29 to 21 and replaces A–J ratings with a high, medium and low risk system and places greater emphasis on both excessive cold and overheating risks.
Inventory Base warns the findings show growing concerns around temperature-related housing safety, particularly as UK summers become hotter.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said: “For many years, conversations around housing quality have rightly focused on keeping homes warm, dry and energy efficient during the winter months. But as the UK’s climate changes, property professionals are increasingly having to consider how homes perform during periods of extreme summer heat as well.
“June’s prolonged heatwave, which saw temperatures exceed 35°C in parts of the country, has brought that challenge into sharp focus. While thermal comfort deficiencies under the revised Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) are distinct from overheating hazards, both highlight the growing importance of ensuring homes remain safe and habitable throughout the year.
“The revised HHSRS reflects a broader understanding of housing safety. It is no longer enough to think only about protecting occupants from the cold. Landlords, letting agents and property professionals must now consider how properties perform across all seasons, particularly as hotter summers become more frequent.”
Inadequate ventilation
The firm warns that excess heat hazards stem from excessive solar gain, poor shading, inadequate ventilation, and building features that prevent safe indoor temperatures.
The news comes as the government has confirmed all private and social landlords will need to meet the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) by 2035.
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Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 510
10:10 AM, 2nd July 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Isn’t the worry now houses are over insulated, so too hot in these warmer summers. My neighbours are putting in air con which won’t go down well with Miliband.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 239
6:54 PM, 2nd July 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 02/07/2026 – 10:10
Quite so, ever had the feeling of being pulled in all directions at once? Or that landlords will simply pass the buck to future owner occupiers when they can’t reasonably fulfill all the demands to upgrade their properties in ways that only the rich can normally afford? It will be interesting to see how the council/social housing sector respond when they’re are already stretched financially.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3664 - Articles: 5
10:45 AM, 3rd July 2026, About 3 weeks ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter Merrick at 02/07/2026 – 18:54
yep, they still can’t cope with getting annual gas checks and elec testing done to be in compliance even now and these regs have been in for years.
Awaabs Law is taking things even further and now councils are having to spend on more just on complaint handling – never mind finding the money to fix the complaints.
Councils are selling empty old stock at auctions as they see no way of being economically viable to update and re-utilise – all to be let at social rents. Paying out to make a loss? Pointless.
There is simply no money to buy even if the latest England Homes money trickles in (that is also being capped to only a £% per year being released). You still need to find a builder. Many are laying staff off – they said this would happen unless the EH grants are brought forward. and money released earlier.
Planning is a joke regardless of apparently rules being softened – still takes years (and cost) to plough through all this, during which time the extra costs due to delays gets added on….
The demand for ‘better housing’ continues despite a backdrop of stagnation and spiralling costs. Not even a case of if it costs more then the tenant will pay – because they can’t.
The disconnect between what Liebour is pushing and the reality on the ground is growing by the day – everyone can see it, the government just don’t want to.