My apartment complex will not allow us to install an air conditioner in our apartment. So instead of "installing" one in the window, we put it on the floor of the patio through the sliding door so it can properly vent outside. We dressed it up nicely. The sliding door opens and closes just fine and the air conditioner doesn't even take up half of the door space so we are able to walk out to the patio just fine.
We live on the third (top) floor and our apartment gets extremely hot. We just received a notice that we have to remove the air conditioner within 72 hours. They said it is a safety violation (it blocks the doorway incase of fire). In fact, everyone with fans in front of their patio doors got the same notice.
We cannot afford to buy a stand-alone AC unit and cannot afford to move. If we sold our current AC we wouldn't get enough from the sale to even put a dent in the purchase of a stand-alone unit.
Do we have any rights? What are our options?
2007-06-18 07:22:47 · 20 answers · asked by bb 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
zero. Terms of a lease uniformly applied are legal. Try talking with management and see if there is a middle ground they will accept. This could be about utility costs, or power usage to breaker boxes, or a dozen other issues; maybe talking to them will help clarify
2007-06-18 07:26:48 · answer #1 · answered by wizjp 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
First check your lease agreement. It will spell out any thing and every thing that a tenant can and cannot do. If the AC rule is not there you have a leg to stand on. If it is there contact the Health Department and see what the code says. 90 degrees may be considered a safe temperature where you live. If it is, the AC unit has to go. If it is not considered a safe temperature, then you again have a leg to stand on. File a complaint with the Health Department. While you are at it, contact the Better Business Bureau. They will help with resolving the issue. The no AC rule may have something to do with the wiring from when the complex was build. It may not support every one running an AC unit or fan and the landlord may not want to spend the money to upgrade. Again, it all depends on your rights as a renter where you live and what the Health Department considers safe.
2007-06-18 07:38:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to collectively as tenants (all) of you take your landlord to your local magistrate. The magistrate will hear your case and let you know if your landlord is allowed under you own counties landlord/tenant rights to deny you the use of air conditioners. I would do this RIGHT away. My guess is you'll all have air-conditioners within a month AND he will probably have to pay for them. Good luck!
Remember no matter what your lease says (though you should have never signed it) if it goes against what the landlord tenant rights are in your county - it's null and void. That's a fact - so head for your magistrate's office. He (or she) will straighten it out faster than you could do on your own.
2007-06-18 07:31:26 · answer #3 · answered by svmainus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your options are remove the A/C unit or move to another apartment. Your lease agreement specifically states that you cannot install air conditioners. You have no right to modify the lease agreement and install an air conditioner (in violation of your agreement). Unfortunately, you are just going to have to deal with a hot apartment.
2007-06-18 07:37:21 · answer #4 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They might not allow air conditioners because they draw a lot of power and some stupid people will try to run them off an extension cord. Its a fire hazard and someone probably did that and ruined it for everybody else.
Talk to the apartment people and see if there is something they do allow.
2007-06-18 07:32:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is horrible. maybe you can go to the library and find out what your states building regulations are. or try 311. not sure if that works nationally.
it is true that putting an a/c in doors or windows are violations, but it depends on how many windows there are in the room. That is why the a/c is built into the wall.
2007-06-18 07:32:13 · answer #6 · answered by ~*~ chiclets gum ~*~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weird. I've never heard of this. Do you live up north? I would first check to see what renter rights are and what kind of regulations / rules you agreed to when you leased your apartment. If your lease states that you aren't allowed to have window units - whatever, and you signed the agreement, then you don't have a leg to stand on.
2007-06-18 07:28:02 · answer #7 · answered by Lilith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that is terrible! I don't where you live but here in Florida and many States it would be a health hazard. All I can think to do would be to contact an attorney to research this or the County in which you live to see what rights you have. To me, the complex is being unreasonable and I think all the residents should withold their rent until this stupidity is rectified.
2007-06-18 07:28:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to get rid of the A/C unit you are not supposed to have and you have the following rights:
1. Buy a fan.....buy a BUNCH of fans
2. Sweat
3. Move
4. Buy a stand alone unit (but you say that's not possible)
2007-06-18 07:40:53 · answer #9 · answered by Susie D 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Sorry to hear that, If you have any medical problems then refer to your doctor and he might say that you need. and if You have documented medical claim that says that you need one then theres nothing the landlord can do except see you in court over it. You'd win, quiet easily I'd say. Doctors recommend AC for people who are elderly, young, heart problems, and most other cronic conditions, Good luck, I'll pray for ya
2007-06-18 07:29:39 · answer #10 · answered by The Mizz 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋