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Written question asked by Carla Denyer (Green Party) on Monday, 18 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Social Rented Housing: Heating

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the risk of overheating in social housing.

Answer

All social homes should meet at least a minimum standard of thermal comfort.

My Department made an assessment of subjective overheating through the English Housing Survey, which found that in 2024 10.6% of social housing households reported at least one part of their home got uncomfortably hot. The English Housing Survey 2024 to 2025: headline findings on housing quality and energy efficiency can be found on gov.uk here.

Awaab’s Law came into force in the social rented sector on 27 October 2025. As a result, all social landlords must repair all emergency hazards within 24 hours and fix dangerous damp and mould within fixed timescales. The next phase of Awaab’s Law will consider the application of requirements to a further set of Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) hazards, including excess heat and excess cold.

My Department has also laid new statutory guidance on the operation and enforcement of the Health and Housing Safety Rating System (HHSRS) before Parliament. This will come into force in June and will provide councils with a more intuitive means of assessing hazards in rented homes, including excess heat.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
2357
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Heating Social rented housing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk