441,000 rental homes in England failed thermal comfort standards in 2024, Inventory Base finds
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe said: "Rental homes need to protect occupants in every season, and the revised HHSRS reflects that reality.”
Inventory Base found that about 441,000 private rented homes in England failed thermal comfort standards in 2024, making up 40.3% of all non-decent private rental homes.
This comes as new reforms to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) took effect on 23rd June.
The analysis used the latest Decent Homes Standard data from the Government and looked at how often rental homes fell short on thermal comfort.
There were nearly 1.1 million non-decent private rental properties in England in 2024, though this was down 16.5% in the past decade.
Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base, said: “For many years, conversations around housing quality have rightly focused on keeping homes warm, dry and energy efficient during the winter months.
“But as the UK’s climate changes, property professionals are increasingly having to consider how homes perform during periods of extreme summer heat as well.
“June’s prolonged heatwave, which saw temperatures exceed 35°C in parts of the country, has brought that challenge into sharp focus.”
Hemming-Metcalfe added: “While thermal comfort deficiencies under the revised Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) are distinct from overheating hazards, both highlight the growing importance of ensuring homes remain safe and habitable throughout the year.
“The revised HHSRS reflects a broader understanding of housing safety. It is no longer enough to think only about protecting occupants from the cold.
“Landlords, letting agents and property professionals must now consider how properties perform across all seasons, particularly as hotter summers become more frequent.”
She said: “Housing safety doesn’t stop when winter ends. Rental homes need to protect occupants in every season, and the revised HHSRS reflects that reality.”
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