Multiple London councils have agreed to halt housing placements in Britannia Point, a glass-fronted tower in Colliers Wood owned by a billionaire, following complaints from tenants who endured inadequate cooling during repeated heatwaves.
Residents at the building reported that air conditioning units failed to function properly for extended periods. Benice Bodah, housed there for nearly three years with her three teenage sons in a two-bedroom flat, described intermittent breakdowns of her unit during a summer marked by the UK's fourth heatwave of 2026. The building's design, with extensive glass frontage, amplifies heat absorption during high-temperature events.
The decision by multiple councils represents a recognition that the accommodation poses health risks during the UK's increasingly frequent and intense heat episodes. Climate projections show temperatures in Britain will continue rising, making buildings with poor thermal management unsuitable for vulnerable populations including families with children.
Britannia Point exemplifies a broader housing crisis where temporary accommodation often prioritizes cost over habitability. Local authorities facing budget constraints have historically used such buildings to house families unable to secure permanent housing. However, the building's structural limitations and maintenance failures made it unsuitable for this purpose.
The move acknowledges that housing policy must account for climate realities. Heat-related mortality in the UK has risen sharply in recent years, with the most vulnerable populations experiencing the greatest risk. The Met Office has warned that heatwaves lasting multiple consecutive days will become routine without significant emissions reductions.
Several councils, including those responsible for placing tenants at Britannia Point, are now reviewing temporary accommodation standards to ensure they meet basic habitability requirements during extreme heat. This includes functional cooling systems, adequate insulation, and access to outdoor space. The decision reflects mounting pressure on local governments to protect residents from climate-driven environmental hazards that existing housing stock increasingly fails to provide.