What can you ask a landlord to do about hot nights?

What each nation actually says

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

The schedule names heat. The guidance names air conditioning as one means of cooling. Neither document sets a temperature or a duty to fit a split.

The repairing standard names space heating and a general fitness line. It does not name cooling, overheating, or excess heat. An amendment that adds damp and mould is written to come into force on 6 Oct 2026, after this check, and that text does not name heat either.

HHSRS · SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3 · checked 25 Sep 2026. Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures. Source

HHSRS reg 3 · SI 2005/3208, regulation 3(1) · checked 25 Sep 2026. A hazard is of a prescribed description for the purposes of the Act where the risk of harm is associated with the occurrence of any of the matters or circumstances listed in Schedule 1. Source

LTA 1985 s.9A · Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 9A(1), inserted by the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 · checked 25 Sep 2026. In a lease to which this section applies of a dwelling in England (see section 9B), there is implied a covenant by the lessor that the dwelling— (a) is fit for human habitation at the time the lease is granted or otherwise created or, if later, at the beginning of the term of the lease, and (b) will remain fit for human habitation during the term of the lease. Source

LTA 1985 s.10 · Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 10(1)–(2) · checked 25 Sep 2026. in relation to a dwelling in England, any prescribed hazard; … In subsection (1) “prescribed hazard” means any matter or circumstance amounting to a hazard for the time being prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 2 of the Housing Act 2004. Source

Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 s.91 · section 91(1) · checked 25 Sep 2026. The landlord under a secure contract, a periodic standard contract or a fixed term standard contract made for a term of less than seven years must ensure that the dwelling is fit for human habitation— (a) on the occupation date of the contract, and (b) for the duration of the contract. Source

SI 2022/6 (W. 4) · regulation 3 and Schedule, paragraph 3 Heat · checked 25 Sep 2026. In determining, for the purposes of section 91(1) of the Act, whether a dwelling is fit for human habitation, regard must be had to the presence or occurrence, or the likely presence or occurrence, of the matters and circumstances listed in the Schedule. … Heat. Exposure to excessively high temperatures. Source

Welsh Government guidance · Fitness of homes for human habitation: guidance for landlords, section 3 Heat · checked 25 Sep 2026. means of cooling during hot summer weather, either by natural ventilation or air conditioning Source

Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 s.13 · section 13(1)(a) and (c) · checked 25 Sep 2026. the house is wind and water tight and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation … space heating by a fixed heating system Source

Ten district examples

Each note uses that district’s 2026 hot-night count and the statute for its nation. The box above is the one you edit. Nothing is sent.

N1

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in N1. N1 had ≈10 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 1.9; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CF10

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CF10. CF10 had ≈10 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 0.7; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

Wales text checked 25 Sep 2026: “The landlord under a secure contract, a periodic standard contract or a fixed term standard contract made for a term of less than seven years must ensure that the dwelling is fit for human habitation— (a) on the occupation date of the contract, and (b) for the duration of the contract.” (section 91(1), https://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/1/section/91).

The schedule names heat. The guidance names air conditioning as one means of cooling. Neither document sets a temperature or a duty to fit a split.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

EH1

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in EH1. EH1 had ≈0 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 0.2; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

Scotland text checked 25 Sep 2026: “the house is wind and water tight and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation … space heating by a fixed heating system” (section 13(1)(a) and (c), https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2006/1/section/13).

The repairing standard names space heating and a general fitness line. It does not name cooling, overheating, or excess heat. An amendment that adds damp and mould is written to come into force on 6 Oct 2026, after this check, and that text does not name heat either.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CT9

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CT9. CT9 had ≈48 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 9.2; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CO15

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CO15. CO15 had ≈46 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 9; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CO14

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CO14. CO14 had ≈46 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 9; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CO13

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CO13. CO13 had ≈46 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 9; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CT50

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CT50. CT50 had ≈45 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 5.8; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CT20

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CT20. CT20 had ≈45 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 5.8; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.

CT19

Dear landlord,

I am writing about heat at the home in CT19. CT19 had ≈45 nights at or above 18°C in summer 2026 (1991–2020 average 5.8; ERA5, grid about 30 km).

England text checked 25 Sep 2026: “Excess heat. Exposure to high temperatures.” (SI 2005/3208, Schedule 1, paragraph 3, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/3208/schedule/1).

The prescribed list names excess heat. It does not say a landlord must install air conditioning.

I am asking for: external shading; better ventilation; written permission to install a cooling unit.

Please reply in writing.