My landlord refused to fix the ac unit he finally got it fixed it 5 days after?

Question

During those 5 days we had to stay with family the house was to hot with temps in the 100's he did not want to help with buying fans to try to keep cool but when he finally fixed the ac it was close to rent time he also is not going to rebate the month's rent for being out of the house for those 5 days i have two boys with asthma in that was unhealthy to keep them in the house i want to break my lease find a better property and landlord what are my options to move and break the lease and can I report him to the landlord ***. for what was done?

Answer 1

Your landlord has to make a reasonable effort to fix problems once you notify him.  Getting an AC unit fixed during 100 degree temps in 5 days could often be considered a heroic effort.  I know, I used to have properties in South TX and the Cali desert and it was nearly impossible during heat waves.

Your landlord complied with both the spirit and letter of the law and your lease.  You have no recourse, nor is any warranted in this case.  Most importantly, AC is not considered an essential service in most states.  It d**n sure isn't in TX, nor was it in Cali when I owned properties there.  Even when it is, if the circumstances are such that he cannot get a tradesman out to repair it and is making every reasonable effort to do so, he is in compliance with the law.  Therefore you have no legal basis to break your lease unless your landlord agrees to do so.

Tip:  You can buy a small window unit for less than $100 at any mass merchandiser such as Wal-Mart.  I have one in my bedroom window, both to cut down on the need to cool the entire house and as a hedge against the occasional AC outage.  (It paid for itself in about 3 months of reduced electric bills so there's no excuse for not looking into that option even if money is tight.)

And you can pick up a couple of box fans for less than $10 each, or for as little as $2 or so at garage sales.

Answer 2

I am a landlord and I try to treat my residents as I want to be treated.

Lucky for me I have been working on AC units for 30 years.

Arizona Law:

I have 72 hours to act on this, week-ends do not count.

Act can be getting bids.

I have had to hire cranes to replace ac units and I am at their mercy and have no control over them.

You will not get a free months rent in any State I have been in as a landlord.

I own a home and have waited more then 5 days to get repairs done.

Most courts will find that 5 days not so long.

You can try your luck in your state.

He does not have to help you buy fans.

I would have, as I have fans and a portable ac unit.

Breaking your lease, good-luck.

Sorry your kids had to suffer.

Answer 3

Jason, what were you expecting?    5 days to fix the AC is great, it is often a month to get a part...let alone a tech.

Answer 4

.   I live in Phoenix and this is a constant problem.  It hit 122 degrees in June one year.  The AC units could not handle it.  They died.  The law doesn't help much.  You must go to the nearest court and fill out a 10 day notice to the landlord to make the necessary repairs. If he doesn't do them in 10 days your lease is terminated and you might get money for damages.  If he does fix the AC, you must pay rent.  WHich doesn't seem fair but there is no separate law for AC units in summer.  

Answer 5

Not much you can do.  His excuse is that during those five days it the A/C repair man was busy and he got them out there as soon as possible.  I've never gotten a reduction on my rent because something was broken.  Be glad you're renting and don't have to pay the A/C repair man.

I feel your pain in the heat, no A/C here.  But I'm not sure you can do anything.

Answer 6

It sounds as though your landlord did what he could. If he had no intention of making the repair he would have done nothing at all. The only way to get service that you will be satisfied with, is for you to become a home owner. At that point you can see what the landlord goes through and you can have the option of paying whatever someone requests to fix your problem. Dont think you would like the outcome. Sorry that your kids had to go through that.