Does your landlord have to install air conditioning if you request it? I asked the experts where you stand legally

This summer is on track to be the hottest on record, but when UK housing stock is designed to keep heat in rather than out, it's no wonder that so many of our homes are overheating.

Air conditioning is an incredibly effective way to lower the ambient temperature in a room, but with portable units sold out all over the place, more and more people are turning to fitted air conditioning to maintain a comfortable environment during the summer months.

But what happens if you live in a rented property? Can you ask your landlord to fit air conditioning and do they have to do it? I asked letting and legal experts about the rules on both sides.

Can you request your landlord fits air conditioning?

If you find your rented home is overheating in the warmer months, there is no harm in requesting air conditioning from your landlord.

'Tenants can certainly ask their landlord whether they would consider installing air conditioning, particularly where there are concerns about overheating, but there is currently no general legal requirement for landlords in England to provide fitted air conditioning in rented homes,' explains solicitor Manjinder Kaur Atwal, Director of Housing/Property Litigation at Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

'Landlords have a responsibility to ensure homes are safe, healthy and fit for people to live in, and this includes considering issues such as excessive heat. However, the approach to managing heat will often depend on the individual property, its design, location and the needs of the household.

'Where a tenant feels their home is regularly becoming uncomfortably hot, we would encourage them to raise this with their landlord or housing provider so that the issue can be discussed and appropriate solutions considered.'

This might include weighing up the pros and cons of fitted versus portable air conditioning, or it might be that the addition of blackout curtains or extra shade precautions solves the overheating problem.

Is a landlord legally obliged to fit air conditioning?

While you can ask your landlord to fit air conditioning, there is no legal obligation for them to do so.

'Air conditioning isn't something landlords are legally obliged to provide in UK rental homes,' says David Breare, a property and lettings expert at CanonburyManagement. 'Their legal responsibilities are centred around making sure a property is safe and suitable to live in, rather than providing extra comforts. That said, as temperatures become less predictable, more landlords will be thinking about installing cooling features, particularly in flats that tend to retain heat throughout the day.'

However, landlords may try other measures to reduce the overheating problem, as Manjinder explains: 'Before installing air conditioning, landlords and tenants may want to consider other measures that can help keep homes cooler, such as improving ventilation, using shading solutions, fitting blinds or curtains, and making sure windows and doors can be used effectively to manage airflow.'

This might also included opting for a portable air conditioner (if they can find one in stock) instead.

Can a tenant fit air conditioning themselves?

If your budget will stretch, it is possible that you could have air conditioning installed at your own cost, but you will need to make sure you have written consent from your landlord. While fitted air conditioning doesn't usually need planning permission (provided it's also used for heating as well as cooling), depending on where you live, you may also need additional permissions.

'A tenant could have it fitted at their cost, but subject to terms and conditions,' explains Valerie Bannister, Lettings Technical Director for the LSL Franchisor Group, who has more than 40 years experience in the lettings industry. 'The tenant must have the landlord’s consent in writing as a Tenancy Agreement will include a standard clause that “no change can be made to fixtures and fittings without the landlord’s consent.”'

It may also be that your landlord wants to ensure the air conditioning isn't an eyesore, and as such, will have specific requirements to keep it's impact on the look of the property as minimal as possible.

'Installation of an air conditioning in Leasehold block of flats would require for instance the Landlord obtaining permission from the Freeholder of the building,' continues Valerie. 'And dependent on the lay out and location of the block may require specific planning permission, particularly if it is in a Conservation area.

'If a landlord was able to consider a tenant’s request to install air conditioning at their own cost, very typically this will require a schedule of works from an approved installer , and to take into consideration any particular Leasehold terms and conditions.

'A landlord could expect the property to be returned to its original presentation when the tenancy comes to an end, so a tenant would also need to factor in a de installation cost and making good any re decoration/plastering works.'

What's the best way to approach asking your landlord to fit air conditioning?

As a first step, you should make a request in writing to either the letting agent or, if you deal with them directly for repairs, your landlord.

'The best approach is to be realistic and come prepared,' says David. 'Explain why you think air conditioning would make a genuine difference in the property. It also helps to show you've thought about the practical side, whether that's suggesting a portable unit instead, offering to contribute towards the cost or asking if there are alternatives the landlord would be happy to consider.'

It may help to carefully consider which rooms can benefit most from air conditioning to help build your argument.

It's also important to be really clear on what the proposed installation will entail, and the details that will need to be confirmed in the agreement.

'Fitted systems involve drilling through external walls, electrical work, condensate drainage, and an outdoor unit, so the agreement should cover the installer, exact location, maintenance, noise, ownership and what happens when the tenancy ends,' adds Tom Houlker, an expert HVAC engineer and the Director of Houlkair.

Be prepared to be flexible though. Just because you request air conditioning, doesn't mean your landlord will oblige. However, they may offer alternative solutions that will have a positive effect.