Consent to install an air conditioner in an apartment building: what to arrange

If the outdoor unit of an air conditioner is to be placed on the facade, railing or another common part of an apartment building, the consent of the building manager or owners’ association is usually required. Rules vary between buildings, so always ask in advance. This article is a practical guide, not legal advice.

Why consent is an issue

• the facade, outer walls and roof are generally common parts of the building,
• an outdoor unit changes the appearance of the building,
• an opening through the wall affects the building envelope and insulation,
• some buildings have approved rules for placing units.

How to proceed

1. Contact the building manager or the chair of the owners’ association.
2. Find out whether the building has rules for placing air conditioners.
3. Prepare a description: where the outdoor unit will go, how it will be fixed and where the condensate will drain.
4. Follow the building’s instructions – sometimes the manager decides, other times a meeting of owners.

What helps with arranging it

• placing the unit on a loggia or balcony, where it affects the appearance of the facade less,
• condensate drainage that does not bother the neighbours,
• information about the noise of the outdoor unit,
• a photo with the installation location marked.

We will gladly prepare documents about the unit and the installation method for you.

Conservation areas and historic buildings

Further restrictions may apply in a historic centre and in listed buildings. In that case it is important to ask before choosing a unit.

Related articles

Installing an air conditioner in a prefab apartment block in Bratislava: what to arrange and how it works · Where to place an air conditioner: indoor and outdoor unit

We install Daikin air conditioners in apartment buildings in Bratislava and the surrounding area. Write to us.