Why your flat could overheat in scorching heatwave – here’s how to find out if your home is at risk

AS Brits brace for another scorching heatwave, some properties are at risk of overheating.

Homes which have been converted into residential spaces from offices could be in danger of getting too hot, experts say.

Small, self-contained bedsits and studio flats which only have one window are the most likely to suffer under warmer temperatures.

Work spaces which are in heavily built-up areas are often more exposed to the "urban heat island" effect where the mercury climbs higher than rural areas.

Figures revealing planning data show a hike of 20 per cent in applications to convert offices into residential units.

As developers rushed to take advantage of blocks left empty by the pandemic, paperwork for new properties climbed from 1,765 in 2020 to 2,2121 last year.

Loughborough University academics estimate more than 4.6 million homes in England suffer from overheating.

Analysis published earlier this month suggests it affects nearly one in 10 homes.

Paul Redington, Zurich’s Major Loss Property Claims Manager, said the data reflects the impact of employees adapting to work from home.

He explained: “The number of office-to-residential conversions has continued to rise, as new workplace flexibility leaves office blocks empty.   

“While many conversions will be well-designed and include cooling features, this is not always the case."

Mr Redington said poor quality conversions could suffer from a number of issues such as overheating or escape of water.

He said: “Developers needs to ensure that retrofitted buildings are designed with increased ventilation and shading to keep temperatures down. 

"Building more affordable housing is a priority but we must avoid creating swathes of homes unfit for a rapidly warming world.”

The concern comes as temperatures are expected to reach the mid 30Cs early next week.

In its long range forecast, the Met Office said: “Temperatures will rise through the weekend, with most areas becoming very warm or hot, with the potential for an exceptionally hot spell in parts of central, south, or east England.”

BBC weather forecaster Ben Rich explained that exceptionally high temperatures felt in Spain is drifting toward parts of England thanks to an area of low pressure to the west of Iberia.

The winds around the low will act as a pump as it heads northwards in our direction.

Temperatures are likely to peak around Monday or Tuesday, he said.

Mr Rich said: "Hence this amber extreme heat warning from the Met Office covering large parts of England and Wales, the risk to health, the risk of disruption to transport and infrastructure.