As the UK faced its fourth heatwave of the year on Wednesday, residents living in temporary accommodation at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, south-west London, continued to contend with inadequate cooling despite soaring temperatures. Families housed in the 19-storey glass-fronted building reported that built-in air-conditioning units, installed within their flats, have either been intermittently functional or entirely out of order since they moved in nearly three years ago.

Benice Bodah, 48, and her three teenage sons share a two-bedroom flat in the building. Although the unit is equipped with air conditioning, she said it has rarely worked since they arrived. “It has not been easy, but what can we do?” Bodah remarked. She added that while the unit was operational on Wednesday evening, she chooses not to use it due to the associated monthly cost, which tenants have been informed could range from £35 to £50.

The building, owned by Criterion Capital, a property company founded by billionaire Asif Aziz, provides emergency housing to families under short-term tenancies managed by various letting agencies, including Aura Assets Management. The temporary tenancies can last from weeks to several years.

Following a recent report revealing that councils had prohibited residents from using the air conditioning—citing it had “not been offered as an amenity”—several local authorities have announced a halt to placing households in the block. Wandsworth council, in particular, is taking “immediate” steps to relocate tenants, emphasizing that resident welfare is its priority. Sutton council confirmed it has ceased allocations and is assisting remaining residents with moves to other accommodations.

By contrast, Croydon council stated it continues to have high demand for temporary housing and has not moved current residents but is conducting regular welfare checks and raising concerns with Criterion.

Labour councillor Stuart Neaverson from Merton, who has been supporting residents, criticized the building’s management for the unresolved issues. He called on all councils involved to follow Wandsworth’s lead in relocating families. A spokesperson for Criterion Capital said the company acts as freeholder and works with leaseholders and local authorities to support tenants amid “these unprecedented circumstances.”

Many residents continue to face difficulties with the air-conditioning units. Some, like Mahad Maalin, who lives at Britannia Point with his elderly mother, have abandoned hopes for repairs after prolonged delays, relying instead on fans and keeping blinds drawn to manage the heat. Sabrina Walters, a mother of young children, reported health problems linked to overheating, including cluster nosebleeds affecting her 12-year-old son and concerns over her infant daughter’s hydration. Walters said the family often sought relief outdoors or confined themselves to a single room with fans.

Walters also noted that her air-conditioning unit was only reactivated after she raised the issue with her local Member of Parliament, following a two-week outage. She said others in the building continue to experience non-functioning units. The prospect of relocation offers some relief to residents, but frustration remains over the need to repeatedly advocate for livable conditions.

Earlier this year, Criterion Capital faced allegations of attempting mass evictions shortly before a ban on no-fault evictions came into effect, claims the company has denied. The ongoing concerns at Britannia Point highlight growing challenges in providing adequate temporary accommodation in London amid extreme weather events and housing demand pressures.