I have complained to my landlord about the unbearable heat inside my apt....?

Question

for the past 3 days I have reported that tempertures inside my apt reaching over 100 degrees (I live in CA); and requested my A/C unit be inspected and serviced. Because of their past lazy, unproessional approach in dealing with maintenance issues, I can only assume that they will not fix it anytime soon;
First question...I inspected my A/C unit myself earlier, and noticed the hoses leading into the unit were all frozen with actual ice covering the hoses. If anyone is familiar with A/C units--what does this mean? Second question..If I have to call a service tech. to fix it myself can I deduct the cost off my rent?

Answer 1

If ice is built up on the lines it is NOT low on Freon! There are 4 things that will cause this:

1. Too much Freon
2. Dirty evaporator (the coils inside the house) or filter or both.
3. Low evaporator fan speed
4. Failed thermostatic expansion valve or misrouted sensing line.

First, turn the system off. Leave it off until the ice is melted and the lines are DRY.

Pull the filter and change it if it's dirty.

If possible, pull the panel cover on the evaporator -- it's the section where the lines enter the unit. Look for signs of dirt or "mud" built up on the fins of the evaporator or for bent fins. If it's dirty, you can GENTLY vacuum it with a soft brush on the hose. Do NOT use a crevice tool as it can bend the fins. Put the panel back in place carefully.

Now that it's clean and dry, turn it back on. You should notice good airflow from the vents now and it should cool more or less properly. Keep an eye on the lines for a while. Some moisture on the fittings is normal, particularly on the large line. There may even be a SLIGHT buildup of frost on the large fitting.

If the lines ice up again or if you notice the airflow falling off again, switch it off for a while and let it thaw out. At this point you need professional help. The evaporator needs to be professionally cleaned and the pressures need to be tested by a licensed AC tech.

Notify your LL in writing and follow through as needed to get it fixed. CA does allow "repair and deduct" but you should look up the law first. Here's a link that will help with that: http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/index.shtml

Answer 2

Do not attempt to make repairs yourself. The unit has either lost it's freon charge, or the evaporator fan is kaput.
Your first call should be to a lawyer. In NY the landlord is responsible for ensuring climate controls are in proper working order. I don't know what the laws are in California, but I would assume they are comparable.
Questions to ask the lawyer: Is the landlord responsible for climate control? What does the law consider an acceptable time frame for repairs? Can you deduct the time spent without a functioning a/c from your rent? Can you have a professional service tech effect repairs and have it deducted from your rent AFTER notifying the landlord?
Best of luck and I hope I've been helpful.

Answer 3

In California there is no law requiring that the landlord supply AC. Who pays for the repairs depends on if it is part of the structure or not. If it is Central then it is part of the structure and the landlord needs to pay for it, like the hot water heater.

If it is the window version it is an appliance and usually "person property" of the landlord that he is letting you borrow and he is not responsible to repair it. Refrigerators fall under this as well.

If you want him to pay for repairs you need to read your lease, the AC would have had to be added to the standard rental contract for California.

Home Depot has a portable on sale for under 300.

If you deduct this from your rent your landlord will evict you, as you do not have that right in CA. A/C is a luxury here.

Answer 4

i'm uncertain of the regulations in long island, yet in Ontario, Canada there's a regulation that states that it is the responsibilty of the owner to make the unit in a livable state- i think that this would comprise warmth. i'd advise seek to your landlord and tenant rights by using a central authority web site- they might additionally be a area in elementary terms for landlord and tenant concerns. those web sites will frequently inform you your rights as a tenant. in case you nevertheless can not discover something, i'd advise chatting with an agent ( the two a legal professional or paralegal) and that they are in a position that should assist you on a thank you to get that warmth on back.

Answer 5

Tell the land lord in writing that your heat is runaway and the AC does not work. And ask when you will be expecting a repair person to come and fix. If he does not know??? Paragraph 2 on the letter says that you will have it fixed and take it from the monthly rent till you are paid back.
Don't inspect things you know nothing about. Go to school and learn to do AC. That is not your stuff.

Answer 6

First send him a letter in writting keep 2 copys for your self give him a date and tine when it is best to come by to fix it . also write down what he says to you when you call hin date it put time on it . If he does not get it fixed go to the code ehforcement office at city hall file a complante give then a copy of every thing you have .Do not pay rent until it is fixed put the rent in a savings rent account till he gets it fixed.Mean while city code enforcement will make him fix the apartment up.

Answer 7

Put your complaint in writing ,send it certified mail, also include that you would be willing to contact a tech yourself if they like and you can just deduct it from the rent, but ask first. You don't want to get stuck, this way if you have to go to Fair housing that you have documentation.

Answer 8

Okay, this means the unit needs freon. It might take the apartment manager a couple weeks to get to this so you should buy some slim oscillating fans or an air conditioner type of fan to put in one window and I guarantee you'll feel a bit better, even if it is LA air coming into your apartment.

Don't try to fix this yourself coz the a.m. can charge you for that and evict you or take away your security deposit for violating the lease.

Answer 9

The ac unit is not your responsibility, however if it causes you to be ill, it could become a health issue.

I would contact the local city hall and see if you can get some assistance.

Answer 10

There must be compressor problem , it generated ice on pipes but will not cause cooling in room, check your compressor gas pressure.

If there is no blow then its just fan problem which circulate cooling, check fan only

Saint Kabir