As extreme heat intensifies, states and counties are adopting new requirements to ensure rental housing has adequate cooling.
As extreme heat becomes more frequent and dangerous, state and local governments are increasingly reconsidering whether access to working air conditioning should be treated as a basic housing requirement. Houston recently adopted rules requiring landlords to provide and maintain cooling in rental units, joining jurisdictions such as Phoenix, New York City, Dallas, and Austin that have established similar protections. The policies are intended to reduce heat-related illness and deaths, although policymakers are also weighing concerns about energy demand, utility costs, enforcement, and the cost of upgrading older buildings.
Maryland took a similar step during the 2026 legislative session with SB 12, Residential Rental Apartments – Air-Conditioning Requirement. The law applies to apartment buildings with 10 or more units and establishes cooling requirements for certain newly constructed, renovated, and already air-conditioned rental units. During the June 1 through September 30 cooling season, covered systems must be capable of keeping habitable spaces at no more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
