Tenant Installed a Window Unit A/C

[Troy P.]

I just wanted others' opinions on this matter.  I have a tenant who installed a window unit in the master bedroom.  It's clearly not allowed per the lease but I'm not sure if it's worth approaching them over and potentially getting on bad terms.  I know it's not necessary since the main unit works fine and the temps are not near high enough to justify it.  Not only that, this is the coldest room is the house during the summer.  I noticed there is a huge gap to the outside where it's not properly sealed, allowing water/critters into the home.   I would at least mention that it should be professionally installed if not asked to removed.  Have you run into issues allowing tenants to keep these?  TIA

[Troy P.]

Quote from @Bill B.:

Anything that would clearly not allow this also clearly wouldn’t allow a fan in the window.  It’s a plug-in device in an open window. That’s a really strict lease if it really says windows not to be opened and devices not to be plugged in. 

I wouldn’t care. If you want to care.  Ask them why they did it.  Maybe they can run the whole house unit less if they spend most of their time in that room? You say it’s the coldest room and it’s cold outside. Yet they put the effort and cost in to buying and installing it. Why?

Here’s to hoping you have so few problems you have time to consider this a problem. :-)

It is mostly for preventing the typical case of tenants not installing them properly, water and pests getting in, then it becomes a bigger issue.  We have very high humidity here in South Louisiana as well as very strong thunderstorms year round.  A 3 inch gap in a window with no screen is not exactly ideal.  I also noticed it was not tilting back allowing proper drainage.  Will it start draining into the home during the summer?  Who knows!
 
This same tenant also removed the master bathroom door and stuck it in the closet.  I'm assuming it was in the way of the closet and it was more convenient to remove it.  Do I allow building modifications?  Of course not.  You're right it's a very mundane problem to have, but if she's allowed to get away with this, what else will she try to get away with?