Hackney Council to face new legal duty on tenant home cooling

Hackney Council will be legally required to keep its tenants' homes at a safe temperature by the end of 2026. This new duty stems from an extension of Awaab's Law, legislation introduced in 2025 that mandates social landlords to address damp and mould issues within set timeframes. The law will now also cover excessive heat.

Hackney Council manages a significant number of properties, many of which are flats. These types of homes, particularly those on upper floors in older buildings and post-war estates, are identified as being most susceptible to overheating. The confirmation of this extended duty arrives alongside new evidence highlighting the broader impacts of climate change on London.

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Economic and health impacts of extreme heat

A technical report, Heat Ready London, published by the Mayor of London and London Councils, warns that extreme heat and other climate change effects could cost London's economy up to £36 billion annually by the 2050s. This figure represents potential damage rather than a direct cost, and could amount to three per cent of the city's economy if no adaptations are made. The report estimates that approximately one million homes in London are currently at high risk of overheating. This risk is assessed based on factors including building type, orientation, construction, as well as the age, health, mobility, and income of residents.

The report also indicates that London experiences an estimated 3,996 heat-related attendances at A&E departments each year, a rate higher than other English regions. Heat-related deaths can occur even outside periods of extreme temperatures, with vulnerable individuals potentially affected within 24 hours of temperatures rising. In 2022, an estimated 387 premature deaths in London were linked to high temperatures. The findings suggest that conditions such as severe mental health issues, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes increase a person's risk.

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Investment and implementation challenges

Retrofitting London's homes most exposed to heat would necessitate an initial investment ranging from £9 billion to £45 billion, depending on the specific measures implemented. Currently, no funding stream of this magnitude is available. The Heat Ready London plan outlines a 37-point delivery list, with boroughs identified as key partners. Hackney Council is expected to play a role in implementing measures such as retrofitting homes, installing outdoor shading, providing drinking water points, increasing tree cover, and creating cool spaces.

The plan suggests that boroughs can utilise existing funds, such as the Disabled Facilities Grant, to support housing adaptations aimed at reducing indoor overheating. However, the report highlights a significant gap between the required action and available finance, emphasising the critical need for public support due to the limited financial returns on adaptation measures.

What happens next

Hackney Council will need to develop strategies and allocate resources to comply with the new legal duty to keep tenants' homes cool by the end of 2026. The council is expected to work with City Hall and other London boroughs as part of the London Resilience Partnership to implement adaptation measures across the borough.