New York's AC law, explained for tenants and owners

Starting June 1, 2030, landlords must keep the bedrooms tenants request at 78°F or cooler from June 15 to September 15. Here is what changes, when, and what it takes.

Am I covered?See every date Read the law

Brick apartment building in New York with window air conditioners and street trees

Two dates to put on the calendar

TenantsMarch 1, 2028
You can start requesting cooling for the rooms you sleep in, using the city's form. Each request takes effect 60 days later.
OwnersJune 1, 2030
Cooling must be working in every covered room tenants requested, holding 78°F or below from June 15 to September 15.

What it means for you

Same law, two sides of the lease. Read yours, or both.

Pale brick tenement with a black fire escape and a window unit

If you rent

You choose which bedrooms get cooled

Requests open March 1, 2028, on the city's form.
Coverage starts 60 days after you request it.
In a rent regulated apartment, you must consent to the work and any associated charges.

Tenant dates Who pays

Rows of apartment windows, many with air conditioners

If you own or manage

You provide and maintain the cooling

Hand out and post the city's notice from March 1, 2028.
Each unit needs at least 20 BTU per square foot of room.
Electrical upgrades, landmarks, and hardship can qualify for two year extensions.

Size your rooms Who pays

The rules, in plain language

Checked October 21, 2026 against Local Law 23 of 2026, Admin. Code § 27-2030.

Covered roomsRooms used as someone's primary place to sleep. Tenants choose which of these to cover.
The standardCovered rooms must stay at 78°F or below from June 15 to September 15, measured 3 feet off the floor and 3 feet from outside walls.
Unit sizeWindow and wall units need at least 20 BTU per hour for every square foot, installed to city rules.
Who paysThe owner must equip each covered room the tenant elects. In rent regulated apartments, the tenant must consent first and any charges must follow state law. What the law says about cost
ElectricityLeases must say whether the tenant or the owner pays to run the AC.
InspectionsOwners inspect cooling equipment every year starting June 1, 2031.
PenaltiesA violation is Class C, immediately hazardous, with 14 days to correct.
NYCHAPublic housing follows its own plan, due January 1, 2028, to cool at least one bedroom in at least 25% of apartments by June 1, 2030.