This is my first winter in my rental home, and I have discovered that there is little to no weatherstripping on ANY of the windows. Any time the wind blows (which is often) it is FREEZING in every room of the house. There are also HUGE gaps around the front and back doors that are not stripped. I called my landlord and left a voicemail requesting she get back to me- no response.
I live in Arizona, and have tried looking up all the tenant laws, they say that she is responsible for making the house "fit and habitable"- I don't know if insulation and weatherstripping falls into this category or not. I only know I'm sick of running the heater 24/7 in the warmest state in the country because this place won't hold any warmth due to the massive gaps.
Anyone have any insight?
2006-12-18 23:56:04 · 6 answers · asked by Its Me 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It might be that you are technically right - the landlord may be required to provide weatherstripping. But if she drags her heels on this, and you're paying the heating bills, it will be better for you to bite the bullet and do some caulking and weatherstripping of your own. It might save you some money over the long run. Or ask the landlord if she will reimburse you for the money you spend on doing this yourself.
If it was me, I'd try to seal things on the windward side of the house first, especially the bedrooms, just so you're more comfortable at night. Then work your way around the house. Don't forget the gap under the door - there are threshholds and door sweeps that can be installed there. Save your bills, and keep a record of all attempts to contact the landlord.
2006-12-19 00:04:04 · answer #1 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Landlords rent property for a PROFIT. There is no extra profit in providing you with an energy efficient apt. so they Don't do it. I've been a renter for years. What I see is they buy the cheapest appliances possible that are energy HOGS and hey, they don't care, it's not their heat or electric bill. That's on you.
and if you decide to improve the place & add weatherstripping the cost is all on you. And worse, the landlord may charge you when you leave for the unauthorized "attachment" to the apt. No lie, it happened to me in GA.
Maybe you could put up a temporary solution just to stop the draft? Take a blanket & pin it over the windows so you don't damage the wall. It'll be dark, but warmer!
Good Luck.
2006-12-19 01:08:48 · answer #2 · answered by upside down 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By building cods if adopted in your town, Called the BOCA
or International Property Maintenance Code, your landlord is required to be able to maintain a temperature of 68 in every room.
Even in Arizona.
2006-12-19 00:10:07 · answer #3 · answered by jimmiv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, your landlord is responsible for the weatherstripping for HIS property. If he decides to ignore your request to do the job, do it yourself or have someone else do it and take it off of your rent. Make sure to keep your reciepts and make him copies. Hand the reciepts in with your rental payment.
2006-12-19 00:05:45 · answer #4 · answered by ▒♥▒♥▒♥▒♥▒™ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is his responsibility but if he doesn't do it, you should do it. I think that if you don't take measures to repair your air leaks and the end you are going to spend more money in heating cost. So I advised you, to write him a letter explaining that you have to do some repairs in the house, make a list of the deficiencies and you will discounted from the rent, give him time limit for him to repair it or give you the OK to proceed... good luck.
2006-12-19 00:12:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in TX I really don't know about Arizona but in TX the landlord is responsible for everything regarding the property except for any damages done by you, your family or friends.
2006-12-19 00:34:47 · answer #6 · answered by d3midway semi-retired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋