News from 26 June 2026
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Zurich UK has raised concerns about overheating in homes converted from offices. Property Industry Eye reported that applications for office-to-residential conversions in England rose from 1,025 in 2022 to 1,623 in 2025, an increase of 58%.
Why overheating is becoming a landlord issue
Zurich’s concern is that some commercial buildings were not designed for people to live in around the clock. Large areas of glazing, limited shading, poor ventilation, dated building fabric and the urban heat island effect can all make converted homes harder to keep at reasonable temperatures during prolonged hot weather.
Converted flats and homes in dense urban areas can be particularly affected. A building that works as an office during business hours may perform differently when it becomes a full-time home, particularly if residents have limited control over ventilation or solar gain.
The issue also goes wider than conversions. Property Industry Eye separately highlighted practical measures being discussed for hot homes during the current heatwave, including shading, careful ventilation, reducing internal heat sources and using fans appropriately. Those points are not a substitute for proper assessment, but they show how quickly overheating can become part of the day-to-day tenant experience.
Converted homes need particular care
Office-to-residential conversions can be valuable additions to housing supply, but they are not all the same. Landlords looking at converted units should ask how the building deals with solar gain, fresh air, extract ventilation and night-time cooling. They should also understand what is controlled inside the flat and what depends on a block manager, freeholder or building-wide system.
Where a conversion is newer, check what overheating assessment was carried out at design stage and what assumptions were made about window opening, shading and occupancy. Where a conversion is older, or where a property has been altered over time, a building surveyor or appropriately qualified professional may be needed to assess whether practical improvements are possible.
This is especially relevant where a landlord receives repeated complaints from the same home or the same block. Repeated overheating reports can point to a property-specific issue rather than simply unusual weather.
