The Renters Stuck in ‘Heat Trap’ Flats During Sweltering Heatwave: ‘It Is Unbearable’

The UK’s sweltering heatwave has exposed a deeply ingrained problem in our social housing system: the lack of basic controls to mitigate overheating. Research from Citizens Advice reveals that 51 percent of tenants lack the means to regulate their home temperatures, making it not just an inconvenience but a human rights issue.

For individuals like Liam Russell, who suffers from autism and sensory needs, the heat can be debilitating. His third-storey flat in Maidstone, Kent, is a prime example of this issue: with only three windows, it’s a veritable oven during the summer months. “It is unbearable,” he says.

According to analysis by the National Housing Federation (NHF) and Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), over 1.59 million children live in homes that become uncomfortably hot. This raises serious safety concerns, as poorly designed homes can act like “heat traps,” causing physical distress and financial losses for those who try to adapt.

The issue goes beyond personal comfort; it speaks to our responsibility as a society to provide safe and habitable living conditions for all citizens, regardless of income or background. The roll-out of Awaab’s Law in November will be a crucial step forward, but more needs to be done to address this systemic problem.

A key aspect of the issue is the neglect of existing infrastructure. Research has found that renters living in buildings with old gas-run heat networks are the most likely to overheat due to hot pipework. This neglect speaks to a broader failure of our social housing system, as Emma Howard Boyd CBE, chair of the National Heat Risk Commission, noted: “housing associations really need to understand the challenges they face,” particularly as Awaab’s Law takes effect.

The government’s response has been inadequate. The recent heatwave highlighted the severity of this issue, with 18 lifts in social housing buildings failing in one London borough alone. This is not just an emergency response; it requires a national strategic approach to address the root causes of overheating.

In the absence of meaningful action from policymakers, individuals are being forced to take matters into their own hands. Lucy*, who rents from a housing association, has taken to using makeshift solutions like ice packs and damp sheets taped to windows to cope with the heat. The financial burden is mounting, too: £40 in debt after just one month’s usage of portable aircon units.

The neglect of our social housing system is not just an issue of individual responsibility; it speaks to a broader failure of policy and leadership. As we move forward, it’s essential that we prioritize the needs of those who are most vulnerable to overheating: families with small children, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities. Anything less would be unacceptable.

The UK’s heat traps are not just an environmental concern; they’re a human rights issue. It’s time for policymakers to take action and address this systemic problem head-on.