On 15 December, 2021 the UK Parliament adopted amendments to the 2010 Buildings Regulation, entering into force on 15 June 2022.

The amendments introduce new provisions for overheating, among others.

More specifically, requirement O1 “Overheating mitigation” of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 states:

1. Reasonable provision must be made in respect of a dwelling, institution or any other building containing one or more rooms for residential purposes, other than a room in a hotel (“residences”) to—
2. limit unwanted solar gains in summer;
3. provide an adequate means to remove heat from the indoor environment.

1. In meeting the obligations in paragraph (1)—

1. account must be taken of the safety of any occupant, and their reasonable enjoyment of the residence; and
2. mechanical cooling may only be used where insufficient heat is capable of being removed from the indoor environment without it.

Detailed information can be found at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2021/1391/made. Practical guidelines to overcome overheating can be found at:  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overheating-approved-document-o