Landlords in England face hefty fines of up to £7,000 per hazard if their rental properties pose an overheating risk to tenants. The warning comes as local councils are now equipped with enhanced enforcement powers introduced in June 2026, following the recognition of excessive heat as a potential hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
While there is no legal maximum indoor temperature for rented accommodation, councils can penalise landlords who fail to tackle overheating issues that genuinely threaten tenants' health. Jack Malnick, co-founder of Landlord Resource, says it's not about breaching a specific temperature – but whether the heat poses a serious health risk or renders the property uninhabitable.
Landlords aren't required by law to install air conditioning or fans, but they must ensure adequate ventilation in their properties. Issues like jammed windows, faulty extractor fans or structural defects that impede airflow can be considered under HHSRS if they contribute to severe overheating hazards. Tenants concerned about overheating and ignored by their landlords can escalate the issue to their local council's environmental health team or request a formal HHSRS inspection.
The new regulations arrive amidst broader reforms in the private rental sector, including the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions under the Renters’ Rights Act. Malnick notes this shift empowers tenants to challenge substandard conditions without fear of immediate eviction, enabling them to push for repairs and safety improvements.
The enforcement powers are part of a wider government drive to regulate the private rental sector more effectively, including recent developments on deposit disputes and property maintenance standards. As temperatures rise again this month, the focus on overheating hazards highlights growing concerns about climate-related risks in housing and landlords' responsibilities to ensure safe living conditions for their tenants.