Air conditioning consent issue for flat

mark7144

Claire, I know for a fact jjlandlord has not been in our situation from his comment. I do understand his disbelief though as he's probably just used to a normal house in the summer which is a massive difference in temperature.

Buzby

On a more practical level (and I have an aircon unit).

The property is not yours, so if the owners says no to a hole - that's an end to the matter. However, the window is a differewnt issue. It will be possible to go external via the window frame (either top or bottom, as long as one or the other does not need to move. There are even custom aircon pipe connectors used for this purpose, but will need a professional installer.

As a domestic user, you should not require planning permission for the external fan/compressor, but as long as it is concealed this shouyld not cause a problem, but beware, these units can be noisy if someone else is adjacent to it (and it isn't you) which couyld generate an unexpected complaint.

mark7144

Thanks Buzby, that sounds very interesting.

This is a new build where all the windows have metal frames, is it still possible? Are you saying it doesn't require any drilling this way?

jjlandlord

mark7144 wrote: »

Claire, I know for a fact jjlandlord has not been in our situation from his comment. I do understand his disbelief though as he's probably just used to a normal house in the summer which is a massive difference in temperature.

I just grew in a top floor flat, with patio doors to balcony, in a place where summer daytime temperatures were 30 to 35 (so circa 40 at noon in full sun)
Never had air con, or even fan.

You create shade and airflow, and you dress very lightly (cotton only): it's actually quite comfortable and much healthier and economical than air con.

Here people panic when temp reaches 25...

Now if your roof is poorly built and insulated, and as you seem sensitive, perhaps your choice of property was not optimal.

giraffe69

Here people panic when temp reaches 25...

Now if your roof is poorly built and insulated, and as you seem sensitive, perhaps your choice of property was not optimal.

Such drivel. We've worked out that you don't want or approve of air con but so what? OP would prefer this to walking around in your choice of clothes.
Is there an appeal process against the initial no. Often the penpusher making the decision just thinks "OMG a hole in the wall, terrible" whereas it will be small and actually add some amenity to the flat.

G_M

mark7144 wrote: »

I've lived in London all my life and on the surface understand what you're saying but as someone who has once lived on a top floor flat before as a tenant, I assure you it can often get unbearable. I would then envy my parents who had a house that felt like winter in comparison. Anyway, I was fortunate enough to have AC in that rented place so all was well.

What I find hard to understand is... well.... you seem very experienced in the problem you are facing. Very knowledgable of the various problems and the solution requirements.

So why on earth did you buy a top floor flat with a large window exposure and a lease which prohibits installing air con?????

And don't come the "but I didn't realise I wouldn't be allowed to....". When buying the most expensive thing you've ever bought, you'd have to be nuts not to read the documents that explain what responsibilities and limitations come with that purchase.

jjlandlord

giraffe69 wrote: »

Such drivel. We've worked out that you don't want or approve of air con but so what? OP would prefer this to walking around in your choice of clothes.

When your building's wall is covered with noisy, leaky air con units, which are a health risk and pump a lot of energy, because some consider it a human right to wear long sleeves in summer we'll talk again giraffe69...

mark7144

G_M: Because it's worth it. I actually got a bargain and feel very fortunate about my purchase even with this issue.

The fact is, if I don't manage to get consent that I'm so desperate for, then considering how tiny the hole is, it seems reasonable to go ahead anyway. If I need to sell, I will remove the unit and fill in the hole.

giraffe69

When your building's wall is covered with noisy, leaky air con units, which are a health risk and pump a lot of energy, because some consider it a human right to wear long sleeves in summer we'll talk again giraffe69...

I think there are plenty of these units in use all over the country. It maybe some are badly maintained but that isn't a pre-requisite. It's fairly clear where you stand. I expect you take the same view in your car and when you go to restaurants or cinemas. Personally I like the controlled atmosphere if they get it right. I quite understand if others don't but your views seem to come from the Jurassic era.

Dumbe

Having lived in Australia where in the summertime can reach 40 degrees

I hope I can suggest a solution that I used when in rented property that may work for you and not involve any holes in walls or windows!

While I had a fixed ac (that the other half is through an external wall) in the living room I had nothing in the bedroom and fans were useless in that heat.

Therefore I bought a delonghi ( lots of other brands available too but start by googling delonghi portable air conditioner and the others should pop up too)

It cooled a 35 degree room down to bout 20 and enabled me to have un. Interrupted sleep.

It hasa hose thing out of the back of it and a plastic thing that goes the length of the window size adjustable. Slide the window open the width of the pastic thing , put it in the gap the window edge keeps it upright , and adjust the height to that of your window..

I remember it costing me about $300 so about 200 sterling.

Only downside is it was a little noisy .. But not so much so that it bothered me. Plus it's quite heavy and a little bulky

But I used it for several years and it was a life saver. It cost me no more to run then the fixed air con unit ..