Who’s responsible for A/C repairs? The tenant or the landlord?
With desert temperatures consistently topping out in the triple-digits, air conditioning may seem like a must for Coachella Valley residents. But for those renting homes, if the utility fails, you may be left high, hot, and not so dry.
“Air conditioning is very important here in the valley,” said Patrick Somers of General A/C in Thousand Palms. “You can’t live without it. You have to have air conditioning.”
According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, landlords are not required to provide air conditioning. Landlords are only required to provide heating and proper ventilation. A/C is considered an “amenity,” not a requirement, for habitability and repairs are not covered unless promised in the rental agreement.
The Better Business Bureau warns residents to not expect to be reimbursed or have the cost of repairs deducted from rent. Depending on your rental agreement, you could be evicted if you stop paying rent.
Instead, there are some steps you can take:
Contact your landlord in writing Use a mediation service with the BBB File a Fair Housing Complaint Ask for a ventilation inspection to see if the property meets standards Take legal action
“We’ve come across situations where a tenant will call us, ‘We need help,” Somers said. “We take care of them, then the landlord gets involved and typically there’s a back and forth I’ve seen with the landlord and tenant.”
“I think it’s very unfair,” Mary Lyn Ota of Palm Desert said.
“You have to have air conditioning. A fan barely helps you feel comfortable. If you rent your home, your condo, your apartment, you should provide as much comfort as possible to your tenants,” she said.
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