Access to air conditioning can be critical in many areas of the United States, particularly during hot summer months. H

owever, the laws regarding a landlord’s responsibility to provide and maintain air conditioning vary significantly from state to state.

This comprehensive guide outlines how long a landlord can leave you without air conditioning in each state.

Alabama

Under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, landlords are required to maintain all electrical systems, which may include air conditioning if provided. Your landlord has 14 days to make the repair.

Alaska

In Alaska, landlords are required to make repairs within 10 days of a written notice.

Arizona

In Arizona, a landlord must provide “reasonable” comfort levels for tenants. If the air conditioning breaks, they must fix it as soon as possible. If they fail to do so within a reasonable time (around 5 dayss), tenants may have grounds to break their lease.

Arkansas

In Arkansas, no specific law requires landlords to provide air conditioning. However, if it’s included in the lease, landlords must maintain it in a reasonable manner and they have 30 days to do it.

California

In California, landlords must repair a broken air conditioner within 30 days or less.

Colorado

In Colorado, landlords have 24 hours to start fixing the air conditioning system. If it’s not an emergency, landlords have 96 hours to start fixing the issue.

Connecticut

Connecticut law doesn’t specifically address air conditioning. However, landlords must maintain all services provided in the lease.

Delaware

In Delaware, landlords are generally expected to fix broken air conditioning units within 15 days.

Florida

Florida law requires landlords to comply with applicable building, housing, and health codes which may cover air conditioning. If a landlord fails to do within 7 days, tenants can take action.

Georgia

In Georgia, the law doesn’t require landlords to provide air conditioning. However, if it is included in the lease agreement, landlords must maintain it.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, air conditioning is considered an amenity, not a requirement. However, if provided, it must be kept in working order.

Idaho

In Idaho, there is no specific legislation regarding air conditioning in rentals. However, landlords must maintain all services within 12 days of a written notice.

Illinois

In Illinois, landlords are generally expected to repair a broken air conditioning unit within 14 days or less if it’s an emergency.

Indiana

Indiana law mandates landlords to provide air conditioning. However, if it is part of the lease agreement, it must be maintained.

Iowa

In Iowa, landlords must maintain all supplied appliances, which includes air conditioning in 7 days or less.

Kansas

In Kansas, landlords are required to begin repairs within 14 days.

Kentucky

Landlords in Kentucky must repair the air conditioners within 14 days or you can withhold rent.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, if air conditioning is included in the lease, the landlord must fix it within two to three after being notified of the problem.

Maine

However, landlords must maintain all services in 14 days or less.

Maryland

In Maryland, landlords must repair essential services, including air conditioning if provided, within a reasonable time, normally under 30 days.

Massachusetts

Landlords are required to repair air conditioners in around 14 days or less.

Michigan

However, landlords must uphold their obligations as outlined in the lease and 31 days to repair.

Minnesota

However, landlords must maintain all electrical systems in good working condition. If they don’t, they have 14 days to fix the issue.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, landlords must maintain all services listed in the lease, which may include air conditioning. Landlords have 30 days after a written statement is handed in from the tenant.

Missouri

In Missouri, it’s required for landlords to repair your air conditioner in 14 days.

Montana

In Montana, landlords have 14 days to fix the air conditioner or tenants can terminate their lease.

Nebraska

In Nebraska, landlords must maintain all services listed in the lease, which may include air conditioning. Any repairs must be done in 14 days.

Nevada

In Nevada, landlords must maintain essential services, which can include air conditioning. If not repaired within 48 hours, tenants may be able to terminate the lease.

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, landlords have 14 days to repair.

New Jersey

Landlords are obligated to provide a habitable property for tenants. Tenants can utilize repair and deduct if a landlord fails to fix the air conditioner within a certain amount of time.

New Mexico

In New Mexico, landlords must fix the air conditioning within 7 days.

New York

In New York, landlords are generally expected to repair a broken air conditioning unit within a reasonable amount of time, typically 24 to 48 hours.

North Carolina

North Carolina law does not specifically cover air conditioning. However, landlords must maintain all amenities included in the lease.

North Dakota

North Dakota law states that they must make repairs within two to thirty days.

Ohio

In Ohio, landlords must maintain all services listed in the lease, which may include air conditioning in a reasonable amount of time.

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, landlords have 14 days to fix the air conditioner.

Oregon

Oregon law doesn’t mandate air conditioning in rentals. However, your landlord is required to provide you with air conditioning.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law does not specifically cover air conditioning. However, landlords must maintain all amenities included in the lease.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, landlords must maintain all services listed in the lease, which may include air conditioning within 20 days or less.

South Carolina

South Carolina law states that landlords have 14 days to repair any air conditioning issues, but if it’s a health hazard, they must repair it as soon as possible.

South Dakota

In South Dakota, there are no specific laws about air conditioning. However, landlords must maintain all electrical systems in good working condition.

Tennessee

Landlords must maintain all amenities included in the lease within 14 days.

Texas

Texas law considers air conditioning an essential service. The landlord typically has seven days to make the repair once notified, though this can vary based on the severity of the weather and the specifics of the situation.

Utah

In Utah, landlords must maintain all services listed in the lease, which may include air conditioning within 10 calendar days.

Vermont

Vermont law doesn’t mandate air conditioning in rentals. However, if it is included in the lease, the landlord must maintain it.

Virginia

Virginia law does not specifically cover air conditioning. However, landlords must maintain all amenities included in the lease.

Washington

In Washington, landlordsmust maintain all services listed in the lease, which may include air conditioning.

West Virginia

In West Virginia, it’s required for the air conditioner to be fixed in a reasonable amount of time, around 10-15 days.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin law doesn’t mandate air conditioning in rentals. However, if it is included in the lease, the landlord must maintain it.

Wyoming

Landlords must maintain all amenities included in the lease within 7 days or less.

Conclusion

While many states do not require landlords to provide air conditioning, they generally are required to maintain any services they provide, as specified in the lease.

Understanding your rights as a tenant can help you ensure that you are living in a safe and comfortable environment. Always refer to your lease agreement and consult local and state laws to understand your specific rights and responsibilities.