Spain's rental law does not obligate landlords to provide air conditioning despite heatwave

Extreme temperatures this summer have led many tenants in Spain to ask whether they can force landlords to install air‑conditioning or improve thermal insulation. According to housing‑law specialist Arantxa Goenaga, the Urban Leases Act (LAU) guarantees habitability – safety, health and suitability for residence – but does not require a specific indoor temperature or the provision of climate‑control equipment. A landlord is only obliged to supply air‑conditioning if the rental contract explicitly includes that clause.

When a property suffers from poor insulation, liability depends on whether the defect makes the dwelling unusable. Courts may order remedial works if structural or material failures, such as severe moisture or extreme heat caused by construction faults, render the home uninhabitable. Tenants can propose installing an air‑conditioner, but they cannot impose it without the owner’s consent and written agreement. Experts advise adding a specific clause on climate‑control to the lease to avoid future disputes, as current jurisprudence on heat‑related claims remains limited.