Residents in a high-rise block have been told they cannot use built-in air conditioning to cool their homes.
The restriction affects homeless families living in temporary accommodation at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, south-west London.
Concerns have been raised that the decision has put vulnerable residents at risk during recent heatwaves, with reports that two children were taken to hospital due to extreme heat.
The air conditioning units were disabled because they were "not offered as an amenity" under the terms of their tenancy, according to an email from building management.
Families were advised instead to use portable fans or air conditioning units at their own expense.
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One resident said that the flats became unbearably hot because of the building’s glass-fronted design and limited window openings.
The resident told the Guardian: "It is very difficult to cool the flats down.
"I find that as soon as I enter the building, I become much hotter, start feeling sick and sweat profusely."
Labour councillor Stuart Neaverson called the situation "disgraceful".
Alice Rogers, who lives in Britannia Point with her four-year-old son, Hassan, said they regularly had to leave the block due to the heat.
She said: "There is a window that you can open but there’s not much of a difference that makes.
"Whether you open it or close it, it’s just literally the same.
"My son had a nosebleed the other day and was faint.
"I’m very much worried about his life."
Aura Assets Management, the lettings agency managing some of the temporary accommodation at Britannia Point, has confirmed that air conditioning is "now fully operational."
It advised residents to use "sensible, rather than continuous, use" to avoid unexpectedly high utility bills.
The company said the advice to avoid using the air conditioning was based on operational information at the time, and a small number of flats received that guidance.
When approached for a comment, Criterion Capital, the building’s owner, said it did not instruct the air conditioning to be switched off in any units and said such decisions were the responsibility of individual leaseholders subletting the flats.
The company said it was not responsible for limiting access to air conditioning.
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