Pays For Air Conditioning Repairs
If you rent a property, it is the landlord’s responsibility to have one of the top air conditioning repair companies fix any issues that arise. This is the case whether or not the air conditioning was broken due to wear and tear, natural forces, or anything else that the tenant has no control over. When a landlord fails to repair an air conditioner, the tenant has several options available to them, including withholding rent payments until the problem is fixed.
Landlords are required to provide their tenants with certain amenities, including working appliances like dishwashers and washer/dryer units. However, air conditioning is often considered to be an extra rather than a necessity, which means that landlords may not offer it as part of the rental agreement. If the landlord does provide a functioning air conditioning unit, they are also responsible for keeping it in good working condition for the duration of the lease term.
Unlike most appliances, a working air conditioning repair can be fairly expensive to repair or replace. Some problems are minor and can be solved with a service call, while others require the replacement of a specific component. Often, replacing the entire unit is a better option since it can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Who Pays For Air Conditioning Repairs?
In addition to the cost of the actual service call, there are other costs associated with an air conditioning repair, such as parts and labor. This is particularly true if the unit requires an expensive part, such as a compressor or evaporator coil. Landlords should be prepared for these costs and include them in the rent agreement.
A repair company will typically provide a written estimate before beginning work. This estimate will detail the problem and how much it is expected to cost to fix it. It will also detail whether the repair or replacement is the best option for the problem. Landlords can decide to either have the tenant pay for the repair or have it deducted from their security deposit, depending on what is specified in the lease agreement.
While it is possible for a homeowner to make DIY repairs on their HVAC system, the vast majority of these fixes require professional tools and skills that not every person has. In addition, any DIY repairs will likely void the warranty on the unit. Landlords should encourage their tenants to have professional repairs done to ensure that the job is completed properly and in accordance with any warranties on the unit.
Tenants should always keep a log of any air conditioning problems that they notice and contact the landlord immediately. This will help them to ensure that the problem is resolved as quickly as possible. If a tenant feels that the landlord is not responding to their concerns in a timely manner, they should consider taking legal action. Tenants should also consider having the property inspected by maintenance professionals, at least once a year but perhaps more frequently during hot weather.