Air conditioning: the new #1 mod con

Overheating tenants are changing their search criteria for rental properties. Could the government change the law too?  

Interest in air conditioning is running hot after a summer of heatwaves, with installers reporting shortages.

New data from Rightmove shows that tenant searches for rental properties with air conditioning are up 74% since 2021, while demand from buyers has doubled in just the past year.

But all that demand is chasing relatively little supply. Around 4% of UK homes are estimated to have air conditioning – just over 1 million properties across all types of tenure. But their owners seem to be holding onto them. Less than 1% of Rightmove listings include air con.

Agencies should make sure they aren’t missing out on this. If a property has air conditioning, or even other cooling measures like a ceiling fan, putting it prominently in the description will help drive demand.

Could air con become the law?

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) recognises excessive heat as a hazard that may affect the health or safety of occupiers, but unlike excessive cold, heat isn’t subject to a maximum legislative temperature.

However, local authorities could take enforcement action if privately rented homes overheat to the point they become unsafe. They could, for example, require landlords to fix defects that limit airflow, fining them if they don’t comply.

The government is also planning to apply a new Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, although full enforcement isn’t expected until 2035. This could potentially address overheating, especially as summer temperatures are expected to climb even higher by then.

For now, landlords aren’t required to install air conditioners. Lower-cost measures like blinds or window film may help to keep properties (and tenants) cool, and they can also signpost options like opening windows or buying a portable air conditioner unit.