If you're coming from the US, the Gulf, or much of Asia, where air conditioning is simply assumed, here's what to expect and exactly what we've put in place so your comfort isn't left to chance.

The honest picture

Only around 7% of UK homes have air conditioning. In Paris, where most properties are apartments in older buildings, the figure is similar. So if your Veeve home doesn't have a built-in system, it isn't an oversight. It's just what these cities look like.

The reason is mostly architectural. A large share of the homes we offer sit in listed buildings or conservation areas, where fitting an external unit requires planning permission that's regularly refused on visual-impact grounds. Many older buildings simply have nowhere to put a compressor. This is why you'll find real variation across our homes: some have AC, most don't, and it has nothing to do with the quality of the property.

What we do about it

We tell you before you book. Every listing states clearly whether the property has air conditioning. If it matters to you, it's on the page, and you can always ask us directly if anything's unclear.

Portable AC is available as an add-on, subject to availability. If your home doesn't have a built-in system, you can add a portable unit to your stay. It won't replicate a fitted system, but it makes a real difference overnight in the bedroom, which is where it counts most.

Every home has fans through summer. Regardless of AC, fans are in every property across our London and Paris portfolio for the summer months, so there's always a baseline before you add anything else.

Why this summer is different

Europe's summer of 2026 has been an unusual one. Two successive heat domes in May and June pushed temperatures well above seasonal norms, with the UK recording its hottest-ever June day and France breaking its all-time record two days running. Paris is forecast to reach the mid-30s°C over the coming days, with London close behind. This isn't a one-off spike, which is exactly why we've built portable AC and fans into how we operate rather than treating them as occasional requests.

Getting the most out of your stay

• Book portable AC in advance if you know your home doesn't have built-in cooling. Arranging it ahead of arrival is much easier than on the day.

• Use fans for cross-ventilation. Open windows after dark and keep shutters and blackout curtains closed during the day. Pre-war buildings were actually designed with this in mind; it works better than it sounds.

• Let us know if you're travelling with young children or anyone heat-sensitive. We'd rather get the setup right before you arrive.

• Reach out during your stay if the heat becomes a real problem. We can often arrange additional cooling on short notice.

The goal is simple: nothing about your comfort should come as a surprise. If you have any questions before you arrive, we're here.