Homeless families living in temporary accommodation in London were told they could not use the in-built air conditioning because it had “not been offered as an amenity”, with two children reportedly hospitalised during recent heatwaves.
Residents at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, south-west London, said soaring temperatures inside the glass-fronted tower left young children feeling unwell. The company managing some of the temporary accommodation has since confirmed that tenants are now allowed to use the air conditioning.
However, some residents said they were warned they could face standing charges rather than paying for actual usage, with summer bills potentially reaching £500.
Britannia Point, a 19-storey residential block owned by Criterion Capital, houses families placed in temporary accommodation by local councils. The tenancies are managed separately by letting agencies, including London-based Aura Assets Management.
One resident who reported that the air conditioning was not working received an email stating: “Air conditioning has not been offered as an amenity under these arrangements, and the units cannot be switched back on as a result.”
The email added: “You are welcome to use a portable fan or portable air conditioning unit at your own arrangement in the meantime.”
Residents said the building’s all-glass design and windows that only open slightly make it extremely difficult to cool their homes without air conditioning.
“It is very difficult to cool the flats down,” one resident said. “I find that as soon as I enter the building, I become much hotter, start feeling sick and sweat profusely.”
Alice Rogers, who lives in the building with her four-year-old son Hassan, said they were often forced to leave the flat because of the heat.
“There is a window that you can open, but there’s not much of a difference that makes,” she said. “Whether you open it or close it, it’s just literally the same.”
She added: “My son had a nosebleed the other day and was faint. I’m very much worried about his life.”
Labour councillor Stuart Neaverson said he had been informed that two children had been taken to hospital because of the extreme temperatures.
“With another heatwave imminent, it’s vital that air conditioning is restored immediately to everyone in the tower to help prevent a tragedy,” he said.
Aura Assets Management said the air conditioning is now “fully operational and tenants have been advised that they are welcome to use it”.
The company added: “Given the exceptionally warm weather this summer, we have also encouraged sensible, rather than continuous, use, simply to help residents avoid unexpectedly high utility bills – not to discourage use of a service that exists for their comfort.”
It said the earlier email reflected the arrangements in place at the time and that “the situation has since changed.”