How to Keep Your Rental Cool During a Heatwave
Handy tips for us tenants who want to beat the heat without needing to call in the builders
When the temperature really starts to climb and our place feels more like a sauna than a sanctuary, it can be a total drag. You know how it is, right? Especially in smaller places or flats higher up, heat seems to get trapped so easily. And if we're renting, we don't always have the luxury of popping in air conditioning or making big changes to help things breathe better.
But hey, that doesn't mean we're stuck! There's actually a surprising amount we can do with a little know-how, some affordable bits and bobs, and a smart way of managing our space. And when something genuinely needs our landlord's attention, we'll help you figure out just when and how to bring it up.
Here at Gateway Property Hub, we've been looking after rental homes right here in Croydon, Purley, Sutton, and Bromley since way back in 2005. Keeping our tenants comfortable and well is something we're really passionate about, not just in theory. So, whether you're in one of our managed properties or just looking for some trustworthy advice, this guide is for you.
Smart Window Moves: Our First Line of Defence
It might sound a bit backward, but keeping our windows shut during the hottest part of the day is honestly one of the most effective things we can do. Think about it: if the air outside is hotter than what's inside, opening the windows just invites more heat in.
Working with the Temperature, Not Against It
Early Morning (before 8am): Let's throw those windows wide open! We want to let in that lovely cool night air and get rid of any heat that built up while we were sleeping.
Mid-Morning Onwards: As it starts heating up outside, it's time to close them up and pull the curtains or blinds. Definitely do this for windows facing the sun, especially those south and west-facing ones.
Evening (after 8–9pm): Once the air outside feels cooler than inside, it's time to open up again and let the place breathe overnight.
This simple routine open at night, closed by day can make a real difference to how our homes feel, especially in flats where heat can get stuck.
Making Sunny Windows Work for Us
If our flat gets a lot of direct sun through big windows, it's worth thinking about popping some reflective window film or even those emergency foil blankets (you know, the ones from first aid kits) on the inside of the glass during the hottest hours. They're cheap, temporary, and do a surprisingly good job of bouncing heat right back out before it warms up our rooms.
No need to drill or make any permanent changes most of these just stick on or can be held with those removable strips.
Easy-Peasy Cooling Solutions We Can Do Ourselves
We don't need fancy air conditioning to make our homes feel significantly cooler. All of these are super renter-friendly, won't break the bank, and are genuinely effective.
Fans: Getting the Best Out of Them
A regular fan doesn't actually cool the air it cools us by moving air over our skin. To get the most from ours:
Point fans to pull in cool air at night, rather than just swirling the warm air around during the day.
Try putting a shallow bowl of ice or cold water in front of the fan. As the air blows over it, it'll pick up cool moisture and feel noticeably cooler.
If we have a few rooms, let's create a cross-breeze. Put one fan facing inwards at a cool window and another facing outwards at a warmer window on the other side.
Blackout Blinds and Cosy Curtains
If our rental doesn't already have blackout blinds, it's definitely worth grabbing a set. They're not expensive, you can find them everywhere, and most don't even need drilling (look for tension rod or sticky-back options). Blocking direct sunlight from coming in can knock several degrees off a room's temperature.
If you're in a Gateway-managed place and your windows don't have any decent coverings, it's worth mentioning to us it might be something we can help with as part of keeping the property in good shape.
Keeping Internal Doors Closed
Heat travels around our homes more than we might think. Keeping doors shut between rooms especially between cooler rooms facing north and warmer ones facing south helps keep that cooler air where we need it most.
Cutting Down on Heat Sources Inside
Our everyday appliances actually give off more heat than you'd realise:
Let's skip the oven during the hottest part of the day. Salads, cold meals, or the microwave are our friends!
Switch off electronics when we're not using them. TVs, laptops, and phone chargers all put out heat, even when they're on standby.
Swap to LED bulbs if you haven't already those old-fashioned bulbs give off a surprising amount of heat just by being on.
Cooling Ourselves Down, Not Just the Room
Sometimes, the most practical thing is to focus on our own body temperature rather than trying to cool the whole flat:
Keep a little spray bottle of cool water in the fridge and give ourselves a mist on the face, neck, and wrists whenever we need it.
A damp flannel or cooling towel on pulse points wrists, temples, and the back of the neck works wonders.
Stay hydrated! It’s best to avoid alcohol and caffeine when it's really hot, as they can dehydrate us.
If we can, try having a quick cool shower before bed and stick to light, cotton bedding.
When We Should Chat with Our Landlord or Property Manager
There's a big difference between things we can easily sort out ourselves and issues that genuinely need our landlord or agent to step in. Knowing the difference saves us all time, stress, and makes sure the right things get sorted.
Things We Should Definitely Tell Our Landlord or Agent About
Some heat-related problems are just too big for a fan and some foil to fix. We should get in touch if:
Windows are stuck, broken, or won't open – being able to ventilate is pretty basic for a decent place to live, and dodgy windows are a maintenance job our landlord needs to sort.
Extractor fans in the kitchen or bathroom aren't working – these are important for getting warm, steamy air out of our homes.
There are clear signs of poor roof or loft insulation in a top-floor flat; this is more of a long-term thing, but it's worth flagging if we're absolutely roasting year after year.
We see signs of damp or mould appearing along with the heat warm, damp conditions are a breeding ground for mould, and this is a health and safety issue that needs sorting ASAP.
If you're a tenant in a Gateway Property Hub managed property, you can always reach us on 020 8090 1778 or drop us an email at info@gatewaypropertyhub.co.uk. We're here seven days a week – weekdays from 9am to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 5pm, and Sundays 10am to 2pm so you won't be left hanging.
How to Raise Concerns So They Get Heard
When we do get in touch with our landlord or agent, a clear and straightforward message usually gets things moving faster than a frustrated one. Try to include:
A clear description of what's happening (e.g.,"The latch on the bedroom window is broken and it won't open").
When we first noticed it.
Any steps we've already taken.
How it's affecting us (e.g., "The room gets uncomfortably hot during the day, and I'm struggling to sleep at night").
Keeping a little written note even just a few jottings on our phone can be super helpful if the issue needs to be taken further down the