Spanish party Sumar wants to ban rentals without air conditioning

Sumar proposes banning rentals without air conditioning: more expense or less supply?

Sumar's housing spokesperson, Alberto Ibáñez, announced this week a proposal that has sparked debate: requiring every rental property to have at least one air conditioning unit. The measure, presented in the Spanish Congress, aims to guarantee "suitable climate conditions" in a context of increasingly frequent heatwaves. But the initiative faces opposition on multiple fronts, from the cost to landlords to the contradiction with European climate goals.

Decent housing or another expense

Sumar's proposal starts from a logical premise: in the 21st century, nobody should endure extreme temperatures in their home. However, making air conditioning mandatory across the entire rental stock would require a multi-million-euro investment. Installing a basic unit is estimated to cost between 800 and 1,500 euros, plus the increase in electricity bills. For many small landlords, who already face the pressure of the Ley de Vivienda (Spain's housing law) and squatting, this new burden could be the last straw. The predictable result: a reduction in rental supply, exactly the opposite of what a strained market needs.

The climate dilemma

The irony is lost on no one: the same parties that champion the fight against climate change are now demanding an appliance that consumes a lot of energy and contributes to urban warming. European regulation is moving towards banning the most polluting refrigerant gases and installing passive cooling systems. Sumar seems to ignore this trend. While Brussels promotes energy efficiency and building renovation, Ibáñez's proposal opts for a solution that is intensive in electricity consumption. The paradox is obvious: forcing air conditioning into every home while seeking to decarbonise the economy.

The effect on rents

Beyond the ecological contradiction, the economic impact is tangible. Landlords will pass the cost of installation and maintenance on to tenants through higher rents. In a market where supply is already scarce, any increase in costs translates into higher rents. Sumar argues the measure is necessary for tenants' health, but the numbers suggest that, if approved, average rents could rise by an additional 5% to 10%, according to real estate sector estimates. The question is whether the thermal benefits offset the rising cost of housing.

The awkward fact: while Sumar demands air conditioning in rental flats, most Spanish public schools and secondary schools lack cooling. The coherence of the narrative crumbles when you look at public investment as a whole.