NC bill proposes air conditioning as rental necessity

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina legislator is pushing to make air conditioning a required amenity in rental properties, arguing that cooling systems are a basic necessity for tenant health and safety.

Rep. Tracy Clark (D-Guilford County) sponsored House Bill 879 after hearing from housing advocates who said summer temperatures make air conditioning essential rather than optional.

“We need to make sure our citizens have what they need to thrive, and AC is a basic right, in my opinion,” Clark said.

Under current North Carolina law, landlords must provide “fit premises” in “good and safe working order,” including heat and timely repairs. However, air conditioning is not among the required amenities.

Clark said the requirement would particularly benefit lower-income renters who may not have the resources to install cooling systems themselves.

“People who rent are oftentimes lower income than people who own properties,” Clark said. “They shouldn’t have to bear that burden, just because they’re renting a property.”

The legislation faces challenges due to cost concerns and North Carolina’s varied climate, with mountainous regions experiencing cooler summer temperatures than other parts of the state.

“The temperatures do vary across the state, but ultimately, at the end of the day, it is a right that I believe all people should have access to,” Clark said. “It’s not just a comfort thing, it’s a health component.”

According to the World Health Organization, heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths and can worsen underlying medical conditions.

“Most of the time, if you can cool off quickly within 30 minutes or less, things are gonna be OK,” Dr. Patrick Ryan of Piedmont Medical Center said. “But if you start having the worst headache of your life, you’re vomiting, or you stop sweating, especially, it’s important that you seek medical attention.”

The bill stalled during the current legislative session. Clark said she hopes to build bipartisan support for the measure when lawmakers reconvene next session.

“I think the first step is introducing the bill and having these discussions to raise awareness around it, to champion it, and then hopefully we’ll get bipartisan support next session,” Clark said.

Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.