Government pushes action on overheating fears in social housing
1 month ago | 3 comments
Sadiq Khan unveils plan to tackle overheating in homes
9:32 AM, 7th July 2026, 5 days ago
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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.
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3457 - Articles: 286
9:42 AM, 7th July 2026, About 5 days ago
Insulate everything. No hang on it’s too hot. But wait we will fine you for using Aircon! Clown!
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 475
10:05 AM, 7th July 2026, About 5 days ago
So the fantasy homes that aren’t being built will have an even higher specification
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 886
10:13 AM, 7th July 2026, About 5 days ago
Next week – tenants will be able to claim if landlords have not heat proofed their homes, probably the next cladding scandal.
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 3
10:38 AM, 7th July 2026, About 5 days ago
You try getting anything done in a conservation area. We attempted to get uPVC windows which matched the wood ones. Council refused demanding wood twice the price. The conservation area is a joke with new builds. Anyway in the long run did us a favour we didn’t do anything,sold it and now I think it’s now short let’s. Well done to the council 7 homes removed from the market
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2256 - Articles: 2
10:47 AM, 7th July 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Darren Peters at 07/07/2026 – 10:05
Such a high specification that none will be able to afford the rent.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1258
5:21 PM, 7th July 2026, About 5 days ago
I fully expected to read that his plan was to come and suck out all the hot air as he needs it for his job.
Member Since March 2025 - Comments: 7
7:30 AM, 8th July 2026, About 4 days ago
About 10 years ago I was working for a social housing landlord and I visited a modern tower block with Combined Heat and Power. The communal areas were stifling hot and there was no way to introduce ventilation/air circulation but no doubt that will be somebody else’s fault!
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 633
10:05 AM, 8th July 2026, About 4 days ago
An agent who sells these gleaming new flats in the Olympic Park told me recently that the heat is unbearable inside them.
If this was the workplace I expect Health and safety would not be very happy.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3661 - Articles: 5
4:36 PM, 8th July 2026, About 4 days ago
tents under London bridges it is them, given the lack of caves currently available….
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.
So is that de-retro-fitting insulation now??
High risk areas – err…anywhere in the UK then??
Member Since September 2020 - Comments: 16
8:44 PM, 8th July 2026, About 4 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Justin Waite at 08/07/2026 – 07:30
Nothing changed. They are still stiffling