MPs discuss housing adaptation to heatwaves as UK homes overheat

As temperatures in parts of southeast England reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) on Thursday, MPs held discussions on whether the UK's housing stock is fit to cope with extreme heat. A new survey estimates that millions of homes in England are overheating during the current hot spell, and climate scientists have warned that such weather is likely to become more frequent.

During the parliamentary debate, MPs highlighted that new build homes can become particularly hot, with internal temperatures reaching 35 degrees during heatwaves. They also noted that 90% of UK housing could be at risk of overheating by 2050. The design of many recently built properties was criticised: they are well insulated and have large windows that let in heat but cannot easily release it, often because windows do not open wide enough. While new regulations now require developers to consider overheating, this was not previously mandatory.

Residents on a new build estate in Hertfordshire described the struggle to keep their homes cool, made worse by ongoing water supply issues. The estate relies on a daily water tank, but residents said the supply runs out by the evening. One pregnant woman said: "I feel like I'm at the end of my tether, like our attic bedroom is so hot. So I'm so tired, which makes me nervous about potentially going into labor during the heat waves." Another resident, who is menopausal, described the experience as "hell." A spokesperson for Independent Water Networks said it sympathised with affected customers and blamed supply problems on issues with water provided by another company.

Tower block residents face additional challenges. In blocks in southeast London, the removal of cladding has left homes feeling suffocatingly hot, and residents are unable to open windows. A government spokesperson said it is taking action to improve how homes adapt to hotter temperatures and has strengthened protections for tenants experiencing dangerous overheating. With further hot weather forecast, many people are simply trying to find ways to cope.