Failed Section 8 inspection due to a broken window spring. Help?

[Linda Weygant]

Need to repair a steel framed sash window that will not stay up. I believe it is a spiral balance window. See pics. It is an older single pane steel window that we would rather replace if repair is going to be expensive. Measures about 2' x 3'

I checked Home Depot, and they seem to have parts you can order (the spiral window balance), but they do not carry them in store.

That is where there is a problem. The property just failed a Section8 inspection yesterday on this window and we have 10 days to repair it (now 9 days... tick tock, tick tock)

We have 4 condos in the same complex with these windows. The long term goal was to replace all these old windows with new double pane and hopefully get a good price for doing all 4 at once. This issue might force the early replacement of this window.

So I need your thoughts on the following :-

1) DIY repair, which high street stores that stock these parts plus a how to install?

2) Local contact for repair of these older single pane windows (Denver metro area).  Anyone have a cost estimate for this?

3) Replace one window with double pane. Do the rest later.

4) Kick off a project to replace all the windows now in this condo, or replace all the windows in all 4 condos.

[JW Franz]

These are easy to fix. Do it all the time or a handyman can install. I order my window balances and parts online at http://swisco.com. Hope this helps you.