What Renters Overlook in London During Summer

London’s reputation for being grey and dreary means a lot of renters consider the weather patterns to dictate their choice of accommodation. However, as heatwaves become more common due to climate change, urban heat islanding, and poor ventilation, this no longer holds, and renters now have to consider summer comfort when choosing their rental property.

There is a simple explanation for this. Most renters will make their decision to rent during the winter months when many of the key considerations regarding summer comfort will not have been considered. By the time that renters realise their need for summer comfort, it will be too late to have corrected those issues.

Underestimating Indoor Heat in Older Buildings

Many renters do not believe that homes in London will reach uncomfortably high temperatures during the summer; however, older buildings, particularly converted flats, can trap heat more than one might expect. Walls may be very thick and hold heat/insulate well during the winter months; however, in the summer months, they will retain heat for longer periods of time than would buildings constructed more recently.

Top-floor flats and loft style flats are often the most affected. These flats will gain heat through the roof during the daytime hours and will release it back into the room very slowly after the sun has set, making them uncomfortably warm even after the sun has set.

Ignoring Ventilation and Airflow

One of the most overlooked considerations when renting in London is how well-ventilated the flat will be. A flat may look airy and spacious; however, if there is poor airflow, the flat will likely become hot and/or stuffy during the summer months.

One of the most common issues found within London rental flats is the lack of cross-ventilation in single-sided flats, where windows can only be opened on 1 side.

Overlooking Window Direction and Sun Exposure

The orientation of a property is significant in determining how hot a property can become. Properties facing south and west will receive a good amount of sun during the day, which can contribute to increased temperatures inside the property during the day.

Often when visiting a property for the first time, people will be unaware of the heat gain enthusiasts during the summer months, although during warmer months with lots of sunshine will create more than than expected.

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Assuming Cooling Options Are Available

Air conditioning is not the norm in homes throughout London, compared to other hotter countries where air conditioning is much more prevalent. Many renters assume they will be able to keep the house cool enough with the use of fans, however in the really warm summer months fans might not be sufficient to keep it at a comfortable level.

Portable cooling devices will work well when used in open spaces, but effectiveness will be variable within buildings that have poor ventilation. A number of buildings will not allow for the placement of external units as they will restrict the ability to cool down the space outside the structure.

Not Considering Urban Heat and Surroundings

The amount of concrete and the density of the area will affect how hot that area feels. Where there is a high number of properties that are close together with minimal trees and high levels of traffic, the temperature during the summer months will remain warmer than the rest of the city.

The urban heat island effect will occur in numerous areas in places where there are a lot of buildings, and the properties will remain warmer than those within developments that are made up of a higher density of greenery.

Final Insight

Summer in London is rapidly changing and renters need to adjust their thinking on how to deal and cope with excessive heat during the summer months.

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