What Do Heatwaves Mean for the Rental Sector?

The UK’s increasingly hot summers are beginning to change what tenants expect from their homes.

Traditionally, landlords have focused on keeping properties warm and energy-efficient during winter. But tenants are now also paying attention to how comfortable a property is when the temperature rises.

Those loft rooms people used to fight over because they felt private, spacious and away from the rest of the house? During a heatwave, they can quickly start to feel more like a furnace.

Top-floor flats, converted loft rooms and bedrooms with large south- or west-facing windows are particularly likely to overheat. This could become increasingly important to tenants when choosing a property or deciding whether to stay for another year.

Tenants’ priorities may start to change

Tenants already ask about heating bills, insulation and energy ratings. With the UK’s new tropical climate, how the property performs in the summer will now shoot to teh top of that list.

Properties that are comfortable throughout the year could gain an advantage over similar homes that struggle during hot weather.

Good ventilation and practical window coverings may not sound like glamorous selling points, but they can have a real impact on a tenant’s experience.

Small changes can make a big difference

Landlords are not expected to rush out and install air conditioning, but there are some relatively simple and inexpensive ways to help.

Blackout blinds or lined curtains can stop direct sunlight from heating the room throughout the day. It is also worth checking that existing blinds are not broken or missing, and that windows open properly so tenants can let cooler air in during the evening.

Other practical improvements could include:

Making sure extractor fans and air vents are working
Supplying an energy-efficient portable fan
Using solar-control window film
Improving safe ventilation in loft rooms
Checking roof and loft insulation
Using lighter-coloured curtains and finishes in sunny rooms
The best solution will depend on the property, but it may not take a major refurbishment to make a noticeable difference.

Pay attention to loft and top-floor bedrooms

If one room is consistently much hotter than the rest of the house, it is worth investigating why.

Can the window be opened safely? Is there any airflow through the room? Does the sun hit the window for most of the afternoon? Are the curtains or blinds suitable?

A room may technically still be usable, but if tenants cannot sleep, study or work comfortably in it for several weeks each summer, it is likely to affect how they feel about the property.

This is particularly relevant in student homes, where bedrooms are also often used as study and living spaces.

Use inspections to spot potential problems

During your next property inspection, consider how each room is likely to cope with prolonged hot weather.

Are any rooms noticeably warmer than others? How can you fix this.

It is much easier to deal with these issues between tenancies than during a heatwave when tenants are already uncomfortable.

Hotter summers are likely to become a bigger consideration across the rental sector. Landlords do not necessarily need to make expensive changes, but reviewing ventilation, shading and the condition of windows could help keep tenants comfortable and make the property more attractive throughout the year.

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