Central A/C problems - landlord wants to charge to come out. (leasing, house)
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Hi. I've been renting a condo in California for almost a decade now and am currently on month-to-month.
Recently the central air has seen a reduction in cool air and also the amount of air coming out. And its summertime. It's getting warm inside.
I asked the landlord and was told to check to replace the filter. I opened the wall grill/vent and there is no filter there. Landlord said he paid a guy years ago to replace it (before we moved in).
Anyway, landlord said he will charge $$$ to come out to replace the filter (even though there is no filter there currently).
Who is responsible for working on this? The furnace was installed in 1986. There is no filter in the bottom part of the vertical furnace. The last lease mentions nothing other than this:
I'm not an HVAC expert but if there has been no filter then installing a new filter should do nothing right?
Also, the A/C was fully operational all these years and upon move-in. Only recently started acting up (3 days ago)
Wait, does the landlord know that there isn't a filter in there, and/or that it hasn't been changed?
You’re right. Putting in a filter after ten years isn’t going to fix the problem. However, you could be held negligent for not keeping a clean filter in the unit. What does your lease say about AC? Can you prove that the landlord never told you to replace the filter? That’s kinda a common knowledge thing and you’ve been living there ten years. You knowing where the filter goes tells me that you KNEW it should have a filter but you never bothered to check it. This is why some landlords come monthly and do it themselves.
I used to buy the 90 days filters and replaced them every 60 because I have pets and burned candles.
You’re going to have to have him come out if you want AC… good luck
Wow, I can't even imagine how filthy the evaporator is, or alternately if there's a filter in there, how incredibly clogged it is. (Filters aren't always located right behind the return air grille.)
No wonder the AC isn't working properly.
In my experience tenants are always responsible for changing AC filters, just like they're responsible for scrubbing the tub and taking lint out of the dryer screen. In fact, when I was renting out my house, I had the filter changed with each new tenant just because I figured none of them were going to replace filters even though the lease said to.
Hi. I've been renting a condo in California for almost a decade now and am currently on month-to-month.
Recently the central air has seen a reduction in cool air and also the amount of air coming out. And its summertime. It's getting warm inside.
I asked the landlord and was told to check to replace the filter. I opened the wall grill/vent and there is no filter there. Landlord said he paid a guy years ago to replace it (before we moved in).
Anyway, landlord said he will charge $$$ to come out to replace the filter (even though there is no filter there currently).
Who is responsible for working on this? The furnace was installed in 1986. There is no filter in the bottom part of the vertical furnace. The last lease mentions nothing other than this:
I'm not an HVAC expert but if there has been no filter then installing a new filter should do nothing right?
Also, the A/C was fully operational all these years and upon move-in. Only recently started acting up (3 days ago)
If a tenant asked me to come change his AC filter I certainly would charge for that. It’s like asking me to change his lightbulb or toilet paper roll.
However that’s not likely going to fix your problem. An AC unit that’s been running for years with no filter is going to need major cleaning.
This is an unusual situation. My leases clearly state the importance of regular filter changes by the tenant, cleaning needed due to dirty coils caused by failure to do so is paid for by the tenant. I leave them with a starter pack of filters, I send them reminders several times a year as well.
You can’t assume a tenant is knowledgeable about such an important maintenance item. In your case if your coils are impacted with dirt, algae etc….because it has been unfiltered…well it’s your dirt and technically you were responsible but the landlord who failed to provide any instructions is equally responsible. If it was me, I’d split the repair charge if that was the cause of the problem.
So by all means, get a filter, put it in. It won’t magically repair your AC unit. After that it’s on him to repair the unit and depending on what the cause of the problem is will determine who is responsible for the cost.
I suggest that you take out your lease and read it.
Myself, if a tenant requested that I come out and change his AC filters, I would charge for the trip. The same as changing the light bulbs, or pushing the reset button on the garbage disposal, or changing the battery in the garage door remote control. It is the tenant's responsibility and if they want me to take my time to do it, there is a service charge.
Ten years without a filter, you have probably damaged the AC with negligence. It's possible that you are responsible for the cost of cleaning and repair. So I seriously suggest that you check and see what your lease says about it.
In my opinion, your landlord needs a talking to, but he isn't the one who asked.
Thank you for your responses, but I need to state this specifically:
I did not ask the LL to come out and change the filter. They showed me where the location was and I gladly accepted to change it myself. It is an easy job.
When removing the vent, there was no filter there.
There is no mention of changing filters on the lease.
All other maintenance and upkeep is done properly -- Dryer Vents, Garage Door lubing, Toilets (small jobs), etc.
If the lease had mentioned filter replacements, I would have done it without any issues.
Location: Was Midvalley Oregon; Now Eastside Seattle area
13,080 posts, read 7,523,914 times
Reputation: 9814
Filter always goes on the suction side (return air). before the evaporator coils and/or heating components. Look a little harder for the filter. Google the model of furnace and that will pretty much tell you where the filter should be.
Really? You had no idea where it went or that if even needed one? How is that even possible? That’s common knowledge.
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