Do you need planning permission for air conditioning?
A plain-English guide to planning, listed building, conservation area, leasehold and landlord permissions for home air conditioning.
The short answer
Many houses can have an outdoor unit fitted without applying for planning permission, but it depends on your property and location. Rules differ from those for air source heat pumps, so if in doubt, ask your local planning authority before installation.
When you're more likely to need consent
- Listed buildings — listed building consent is required for external alterations
- Conservation areas — especially for units on front or street-facing walls
- Flats and leasehold properties — freeholder/managing agent consent
- Rented homes — landlord's written permission
- Homes with restrictive covenants in the deeds
Our role
Obtaining permission is the homeowner's responsibility. We can suggest discreet positions and provide equipment details to support your request. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Get your fixed-price estimate
Tell us which rooms need cooling and upload a few photos (and a rough floorplan if you have one). We'll show your initial estimate and flag anything that needs review.