Written question WQ89092
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 11 days
Question
Will the Minister work to provide retroactive measures to prevent overheating in existing homes as a result of climate change?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
Climate Resilience measures will be needed in both existing homes, as well as new homes. In 2021, I introduced the new Welsh Development Quality Requirement (WDQR) for social housing which requires a Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineer (CIBSE) overheating risk assessment to be undertaken for all flats and for houses which do not have adequate natural cross ventilation. Overheating is also covered by the Building Regulations Part O (Overheating) requirements for all other tenures.
For existing social housing, the revised Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 recognises the importance of Wales changing climate and the impact that has on housing and homes. Officials developing the standard have been working with Cardiff Metropolitan University to include evidence based ‘factsheets’ linked to the new standard for landlords and residents.
The factsheets outline practical actions residents can take to help make their homes cooler and provides options for landlords to consider when carrying out improvement works to existing social homes.