AC repair or not (apartment, lease, tenants, rental) - Renting -Apartments, houses, lease, tenant, landlord, agreements, termination - City-Data Forum

071402 · 09-08-2016, 11:14 AM

? for rental. we were renting an apartment and the ac are not working great and / or not at all. Landlord said they were working fine as did prior tenants before we rented.

I would like them replaced but LL says they're really $$$ and not broken. What would you do? Thank you.

chet everett · 09-08-2016, 11:20 AM

Unlike heat you probably cannot get the local authorities involved if there are windows to open and such. That said there may be an issue with not having all the equipment in working order as it was when you entered the rental agreement. Things get kind of technical and depending on how big a deal this to you'd need to talk to local attorney as to the nature of your lease...

Not clear if the place has multiple window units that are not getting the place cool or actually non-functional. It might make more sense to kindly ask the landlord if they can get at least one newer window unit to help cool the place, that is often cheaper to replace than repair...

You might even consider buying your own portable cooling unit -- https://www.walmart.com/ip/Shinco-YP...&wl13=&veh=sem I have seen folks sell these on Craigslist for next to nothing when they are moving and folks who sell them for top dollar during a heatwave. Timing is everything, maybe you can "make the arbitrage play" -- buy low, sell high...

071402 · 09-08-2016, 11:22 AM

thank you chett. the windows are not suitable or set up for ac , nor allowed.

AZ Manager · 09-08-2016, 12:46 PM

FL doesn't require AC but your lease may have said something that will bind him to keeping it in good working order. All that means is he pays a local AC company to come give it a tune up for about $50. Double check your lease to see but if it doesn't mention anything then you are SOL.

Spottednikes · 09-08-2016, 08:56 PM

Pay for an ac company to come check it, and show him the results. They can determine if it is cooling properly from the temp difference between the return vet and regular vents.
Make sure your filters are clean.
If it isn't working properly and he refuses to fix it, then I would ask to be let out of lease, and move.