Property Management Won’t to Fix Central Air

[Ayodeji Kuponiyi]

Can I deduct the cost of buying air conditioners and fans from rent if my landlord doesn't want to fix our central AC/heat unit? The 12-month lease started May 2018. The AC/central air does not work. It turns out there’s no return box for cool air to flow. Only the hot air comes out and because it’s a 2 story house, it’s very warm on the second floor. The Re-Max property managers are unresponsive & very disorganized. The maintenance guy is also incompetent & when I insisted on getting a HVAC specialist, the specialist agreed that the central air needed some installs done. Prior to moving in, the property was market for having central air. Can I deduct my costs from the rent if my property manager/landlord doesn't want to fix our central AC/heat unit? It’s only been a week and the thermostat has been reading near and over 90 degrees. It’s upsetting especially since we have a 2 year old and one month old child. What are my rights?

[Alex Deacon]

@Ayodeji Kuponiyi we manage 650 units so this is what you as a tenant can do. If your lease states that you have Central A/C and that the owner is responsible to repair it then you can put your rent in escrow. I can almost guarantee that you will get the owners attention or the property managers attention. You are within your rights to do so.If you are concerned about it enough then seek out a RE attorney and pay them $100 for 20 minutes of advice.