Hot Topic: How to Keep Your Rental Cool in a Heatwave

With heatwaves and health alerts on the rise, what can landlords do to adapt to the changing weather?  

The UK’s housing stock wasn’t built to cope with the blistering high temperatures that we’ve witnessed so far in 2026. 

And even if the worst is behind us for now, scientists predict that we’ll experience more of such extreme heat events in the years to come. 

Given this, what issues do landlords need to consider now and in the future? Let’s take a look. 

But first, what are a landlord’s obligations? 

A landlord has a duty to ensure their rental property is safe to live in. 

But they’re not, by law, required to provide appliances such as fans or cooling units,* although they can do so at their own discretion. 

However, a landlord is responsible for ensuring the property is adequately ventilated. 

They should therefore ensure that extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens work, as they remove hot, sticky air. 

Windows should also open with ease, so that tenants can ventilate a room and get rid of stale air at the end of a scorching day. 

Any issues with recurring mould (which would indicate a ventilation problem) should be addressed. 

If your rental does have air conditioning, ensure it is serviced regularly. 

Tenant behaviour 

It’s helpful to discuss ways to minimise the heat with your tenant. Much of this is common sense, but it never hurts to have a friendly, informal chat. 

For example, it’s best to keep windows and doors closed, and curtains drawn, during the hottest part of the day. 

Fans and portable cooling units should be used in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. These appliances shouldn’t be left to run continuously, as they can overheat. It’s also important to ensure they’re not plugged into a multi-socket adapter or an extension cord, as this too can increase the risk of fire. 

Other measures to beat the heat 

The housing industry has coined a new term – ‘heat-ready’ – to describe properties that can withstand high temperatures and heatwaves safely. 

To improve the heat-readiness of a rental, landlords could consider: 

• Installing blackout blinds to block direct sunlight. 

• Upgrading insulation to keep the cold out in winter and block extreme heat. 

• Planting drought-resistant plants and shrubs in the garden. They’ll need less watering, which is ideal, especially during hosepipe bans. 

You don’t have to do all of these things at once. But they could be measures you incorporate as you make changes or improvements over time. 

Work together 

If a tenant raises a heat-related concern, keep records of all correspondence and receipts detailing any work you carry out. 

For more advice about managing your rental property, contact us today. 

*Note: Unless it’s already a condition of the tenancy agreement