2. Figure out if your landlord can charge you extra

If you pay for your own electricity separately from your rent, then your landlord can't charge you extra to use an air conditioner since it doesn't cost them anything.

But if electricity is included in your rent, your landlord might say you have to pay extra to use an air conditioner in your home. They usually say this because air conditioners can use a lot of electricity.

If your lease or tenancy agreement doesn't say anything about air conditioners, then your landlord can't charge you extra for the electricity used by an air conditioner.

If your lease says that you need the landlord's permission to install or use an air conditioner, this might mean that the electricity used by an air conditioner is not included in your rent. In that case, your landlord might be able to charge extra. The next step explains some of the rules about this.