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Elisa spent the heatwave in a studio apartment under the roof: “At my place, it’s 33°C from morning onwards.”

Elisa spent the heatwave in a studio apartment under the roof: “At my place, it’s 33°C from morning onwards.”
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Video: One in three homes in France is poorly insulated against extreme heat, according to the Housing Foundation. This is the case for Elisa, who lives on the top floor of a Parisian building and is experiencing one heatwave after another this early summer.

In the middle of a heatwave, Elisa, sweating, squats in front of her sofa. "My cat doesn't want to come out from under there; he's way too hot." Since the Fête de la Musique and the intense heat that accompanied it at the end of June, the young woman has been unable to sleep at night.

On this July 1st, classified as red alert , in her 32 m2 apartment in the eleventh arrondissement of Paris that she shares with her partner Pieter, The thermometer shows barely a degree cooler than outside. "At home, it's 33°C in the morning. Wait until the sun is at its zenith, it'll be worse," says this young journalist ironically. The day before, June 30, was the hottest day ever recorded for the month of June.

Located on the sixth floor, under the zinc roof, the apartment is categorized as energy class G (DPE), otherwise known as a "thermal sieve." The reasons for this include poor insulation and the sun, which beats directly onto the thin roof. " When I touch the walls of my house, they feel like hot stones. But hey, too bad, we're not in a sauna at Club Med," laughs Elisa. This observation doesn't surprise her when she places her hand on the other side of the wall, on the roof. "We could cook an egg or some bacon in here!" exclaims the young woman.

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Protecting tenants

Since August 24, 2022, it has been illegal to increase the rent of F and G-rated properties when renewing a lease or re-letting them. That didn't stop the real estate agency that manages Elisa's apartment from trying: "I told them no. But that's because I read the press and know my rights. I wonder how it works for those who aren't aware. They probably have to pay the excess."

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In this studio apartment, where the rent is €1,100 per month, any technique is good for lowering the temperature. Shutters closed during the day, windows open at night, damp towels placed in drafts, and even cold water bottles in front of the fan. Air conditioning? Too expensive. The electricity bills, and therefore Elisa's wallet, wouldn't support it. Her last resort is to move out at the start of the school year, when she's saved enough, and in the meantime, to call for help: "We're suffering. Anne Hidalgo, do something, please!"

Le Nouvel Observateur

Le Nouvel Observateur

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