Heatwave and extreme temperatures: is a homeowner required to install air conditioning?

Marie wonders: is she required to install shutters or air conditioning? Can her tenant obtain a rent reduction?

And are future regulations likely to make her apartment impossible to rent if she doesn't install air conditioning?

Can a tenant stop paying rent because it's too hot?

No. Even during a heatwave, a tenant cannot unilaterally decide to suspend rent payments (Article 7 of the Law of July 6, 1989). They remain bound by their contractual obligations. On the other hand, the landlord is obligated to provide decent housing and ensure the tenant's peaceful enjoyment of the premises (Article 6 of the Law of July 6, 1989, Decree No. 2002-120 of January 30, 2002). When the heat becomes unbearable, it is essential that the landlord take the situation seriously and seek solutions. Dialogue is always preferable to conflict, which could quickly escalate into litigation.

Is the landlord obligated to install air conditioning?

Currently, no law requires landlords to equip a property with air conditioning. It is therefore not mandatory. However, if the property is particularly exposed to extreme heat, it is worthwhile to explore sustainable solutions to improve the thermal comfort of the occupants. Air conditioning can be considered, but it is not the only solution.

Are shutters mandatory?

Again, the law doesn't systematically mandate the installation of shutters. However, exterior sun protection is often one of the most effective investments against summer overheating. Roller shutters, exterior blinds, or sunshades can lower the temperature inside the home by several degrees while reducing the need for air conditioning.

Can the tenant demand a rent reduction?

A tenant cannot unilaterally decide to reduce their rent; this is a clear principle. However, be aware that case law is beginning to evolve. In a ruling dated February 27, 2026, the Bourges Court of Appeal granted a 10% rent reduction to a tenant whose apartment had insulation and ventilation defects. This sends a strong message. A rent reduction can be obtained amicably or through legal proceedings when the property does not meet the decency standards defined by Decree No. 2002-120 of January 30, 2002. This is all the more reason to anticipate necessary repairs rather than waiting for litigation.

Should homeowners already be thinking about tomorrow's regulations?

Absolutely. For a long time, energy efficiency focused on heating. Now, summer comfort is becoming a major issue. Heat waves are becoming more frequent, and future housing quality standards will increasingly incorporate the ability to remain habitable during heat waves. Planning ahead today means protecting your assets for tomorrow.

Could excessively hot housing be banned from being rented by 2030?

Currently, no legislation stipulates that a property will be automatically banned from rental simply because it is too hot in the summer. However, energy efficiency requirements are evolving rapidly, and summer comfort is playing an increasingly important role in regulatory discussions. Landlords have every reason to act now rather than waiting for new regulations.

Bruno Cantegrel's advice to landlords

• Anticipating heat waves before a tenant complains
• Check existing sun protection and install shutters or blinds where appropriate.
• Improve the insulation of the attic or roof, which is often responsible for overheating.
• Optimize natural ventilation or install high-performance ventilation.
• Investigate the financial assistance available for energy renovation work.
• Use the depreciation grid to distinguish damage related to structural heat (normal use) from damage caused by tenant modifications, such as the installation of a portable air conditioner (abnormal use, at the tenant's expense).
• Maintaining a constructive dialogue with the tenant in order to find solutions before a dispute arises.

Expert focus: move-out inspection in an overheated apartment — who pays for what?

Let's return to Marie's case. Her tenant, after two sweltering summers in the attic apartment, finally vacated the premises. During the move-out inspection, numerous issues were noted: the paint on the south-facing wall was cracked and yellowed, and there were holes in the wall where the tenant had attached a bracket for his portable air conditioner.

The tenant disputes everything: "This damage is caused by excessive heat in your apartment, not by my use of the property." How can an objective decision be made?

That's precisely the role of the depreciation schedule. In a standard apartment, the move-out inspection report mixes two types of damage that must be distinguished:

Damage caused by structural defects (normal wear and tear): cracked paint due to thermal cycling, dried-out window seals, yellowing of exposed surfaces. This damage is not the tenant's responsibility. The assessment system classifies this as normal wear and tear: the landlord covers 100% of the repair costs.

Damage caused by the tenant's modifications to cope with the heat (abnormal use): mounting holes for a portable air conditioner, water stains on the parquet floor due to condensation, blocked ventilation grilles. This damage is attributable to the tenant.

A concrete example using the Monsieur Hugo rental damage simulator: the tenant drilled a hole in the living room wall to mount the bracket for their portable air conditioner. The paint is 3 years old (theoretical lifespan: 10 years). The depreciation schedule classifies this damage as abnormal wear and tear: the landlord is responsible for 30% and the tenant for 70%. On an estimate of €800, the tenant owes €560 and the landlord €240.

Without a depreciation schedule, this type of situation ends up in court. With one, the dispute is settled on an objective basis, agreed upon in the lease by both parties. It's a tool that protects both the landlord and the tenant.

Conclusion

Summer comfort is gradually becoming as important a quality criterion as heating in winter. Homeowners who invest in simple improvements today increase the value of their property, retain tenants, and prepare for changes in the real estate market. With increasingly frequent heat waves, it's no longer just a matter of comfort, but a genuine asset management strategy.

Nowadays :

• No law currently prohibits renting out a property solely because it is considered a "heat pump".
• No homeowner is legally obligated to install air conditioning.
• A tenant cannot unilaterally suspend rent payments due to the heat, except in the event of future changes in the law or a court decision in a specific case.

However, two initiatives have been tabled by parliamentarians to eliminate thermal kettles in the future and to combat excessively hot housing in the summer.

A cross-party bill on summer comfort

This bill, tabled in the National Assembly, is supported by members of parliament from several political groups as well as by the Foundation for Housing the Disadvantaged (formerly the Abbé Pierre Foundation). It aims to include summer comfort in the criteria for decent housing and to better protect occupants from heat waves.

The main measures proposed include:

• the mandatory display of the "summer comfort" rating from the DPE in real estate advertisements;
• the integration of summer overheating into the definition of energy insecurity;
• a timetable for renovating the most exposed housing from 2030 onwards;
• facilitating the installation of solar protection (shutters, sunshades, exterior blinds) in co-owned properties;
• the systematic consideration of summer comfort during energy renovations.

A bill introduced in July 2026 by Sandrine Nosbé and François Piquemal

Another bill, introduced by MPs Sandrine Nosbé and François Piquemal, specifically targets homes that become uninhabitable during heatwaves. Its aim is to allow, under certain conditions, the temporary suspension of rent payments when a dwelling reaches extreme temperatures (35 to 40°C). This bill is currently under parliamentary review and is not yet in force.

I invite you to follow the development of these proposals and to stay informed of upcoming measures, which may be worth considering for your rentals.

Opinion piece by Bruno Cantegrel, founder of the rental management platform MonsieurHugo.com ( LinkedIn ).