More than 100,000 homes could become “uninhabitable” in high temperatures, a major insurer has warned, as a boom in office-to-residential conversions leads to the creation of heat-trapping apartments.
A major insurance company has warned that more than 100,000 homes could become “uninhabitable” in high temperatures after a boom in conversions from offices to residential units.
A Zurich UK analysis of government planning data found that over the past decade, 103,4211 former commercial buildings have been developed into homes, but many are ill-equipped for rising temperatures.
It found there was a 58% increase in requests to convert from commercial to residential in just three years, as companies downsized office space.
As demand for housing increases, the UK faces a growing crisis of converted homes that are not sustainably built to withstand fluctuating temperatures.
This year the UK has already recorded its hottest May since 1922 with maximum temperatures and the hottest June day on record expected yesterday, with the possibility of surpassing that today.
Zurich warns that many commercial-to-residential conversions are at risk of overheating because office buildings were not designed for 24/7 living.
Some suffered from poor plumbing and services, especially when they had to be installed retroactively during conversions.
Poor airflow can also be a problem, as closed windows and limited ventilation can trap heat inside.
Some have large glass facades that amplify heat, lack external shading, and older buildings may be made of older materials.
Importantly, there is a regulatory gap as conversions often fall outside new housing construction standards on issues such as overheating.
Central urban locations, where offices are located, are often hotter.
London is the least adapted city to hot weather in the UK due to poor ventilation of offices and homes leading to overheating.
Research by academics at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Environment Research at the London School of Economics found that half of all UK homes are at risk of overheating, which is expected to rise to 90% of all homes under a 2°C global warming scenario.
While building regulations now address the risk of overheating in new buildings, existing buildings are excluded – even though the UK has one of the oldest and most efficient building stocks in Europe.
Homes that are not resistant to heat waves also pose a major health risk.
The Committee on Climate Change estimates that heat-related deaths in the UK will increase by about 250% by the 2050s.
“These challenges extend beyond isolated periods of hot weather,” says Megan Dunford, head of large and complex properties in Zurich.
“While global climate patterns such as El Niño may amplify temperatures in the short term, broader trends point to more prolonged and sustained heat events across the UK.
“Commercial buildings are generally designed to withstand different operation than residential properties, and constant temperature changes can place physical stress on the fabric of the building.
“This increases the risk of thermal expansion and contraction, which may contribute to cracking, subsidence, and ultimately escape from water accidents.
“Over time, this not only undermines the safety and durability of buildings, but also exposes residents to higher maintenance costs and lower living standards.”
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