Rent suspension demanded for 'kettle housing' as petition pressures landlords

A growing movement in France is demanding action against "kettle housing," properties ill-equipped for prolonged heatwaves. A petition launched by citizens and associations calls for a legal right to suspend rent payments when landlords fail to implement necessary measures against extreme heat. The initiative highlights a critical issue: roughly half of French housing is not adapted to withstand extended periods of high temperatures, posing significant health risks to residents. The demand targets landlords who have not undertaken the required work to mitigate heat, arguing that tenants should not be obligated to pay full rent for substandard living conditions during heat emergencies. This campaign seeks to pressure property owners and potentially influence housing regulations to better protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of climate change-induced heat.