Residents of two London housing blocks have threatened to take legal action after complaining of excessive temperatures in their homes.
Tenants at Canada Court and Clifton Lodge in Woolwich, south-east London, claim their flats are unfit for living, with temperatures allegedly soaring to 43C during summer months.
They are preparing to take legal action against their housing association, PA Housing, alleging breaches of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
The legislation requires landlords to ensure living conditions are fit for human habitation, meaning it is safe, healthy and free from things that could cause harm.
It applies to tenants living in social or privately rented houses and flats.
PA Housing said the housing blocks “met all relevant planning and building regulations” when they were constructed.
Keisha, who has lived in her top-floor flat for eight years, described the conditions as inhumane.
She told the BBC temperatures in her home can climb to 43C in summer.
Tenants at Canada Court and Clifton Lodge claim their flats are unfit for living due to high temperatures
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“I feel like this building is inhumane, I don’t think it’s fit for purpose,” she said.
The tenant added that windows in the hottest rooms of her property cannot be opened.
Chris Sayudo, who chairs the tenant association for both buildings, claimed corridor temperatures reached 48C during summer.
Michael McDonagh, chief executive of PA Housing, said the overheating problem was predominantly affecting communal intake cupboards rather than individual flats.
He said the issue was one that needs to be addressed with properties across the housing sector.
Mr McDonagh told the BBC: “All the same, we will be putting measures in place to monitor internal temperatures at both buildings as a way of understanding whether this is just an issue during excessive heat or throughout the year so we can support residents as much as we can.”
The Government has announced a £13.2billion investment aimed at upgrading up to five million homes to improve energy efficiency and help properties cope with rising temperatures.
A spokesman said: “We are also taking action to strengthen climate resilience across government and local communities, improving our infrastructure and making sure homes are fit for the future.”