 AC AND APARTMENT (by Cassie [MD]) May 27, 2009 8:00 PM
 AC AND APARTMENT (by Cassandra M. [MD]) May 27, 2009 8:00 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by AllyM [NJ]) May 27, 2009 8:09 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by RR [WA]) May 27, 2009 8:30 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by cassie [MD]) May 27, 2009 8:37 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by Katherine [TX]) May 27, 2009 9:58 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by CASSIE [MD]) May 27, 2009 10:24 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by ManateeAlley [FL]) May 28, 2009 4:28 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by John [NJ]) May 28, 2009 5:03 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by RR78 [VA]) May 28, 2009 5:04 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by John [OR]) May 28, 2009 6:35 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by Hamlet [GA]) May 28, 2009 7:00 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by Larry [MN]) May 28, 2009 7:18 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by billy [MA]) May 28, 2009 7:19 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by Barbara [VA]) May 28, 2009 9:18 AM
AC AND APARTMENT (by Nancy [IN]) May 28, 2009 2:17 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by JC [OH]) May 28, 2009 6:57 PM
AC AND APARTMENT (by Cassie [MD]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 8:00 PM
Message:
State Specific Question About: MARYLAND (MD)
I'm renting an apartment in Maryland. Last week I put an AC window unit in my bedroom window due to the main ac not cooling my room and it staying about 87 degrees at all times during the summer. I have asthma and cannot be in my bedroom. I have not slept in 2 weeks because of the heat. A fan doesn't even begin to help!!
Today my landlord told me I wasn't allowed to have a window unit. I was never told this before. Even when I had it in the end of last summer.
Can they legally forbid me from having one when I'm the one responsible for all my utilities ???? --152.121.xx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by Cassandra M. [MD]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 8:00 PM
Message:
State Specific Question About: MARYLAND (MD)
I'm renting an apartment in Maryland. Last week I put an AC window unit in my bedroom window due to the main ac not cooling my room and it staying about 87 degrees at all times during the summer. I have asthma and cannot be in my bedroom. I have not slept in 2 weeks because of the heat. A fan doesn't even begin to help!!
Today my landlord told me I wasn't allowed to have a window unit. I was never told this before. Even when I had it in the end of last summer.
Can they legally forbid me from having one when I'm the one responsible for all my utilities ???? --152.121.xx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 8:09 PM
Message:
Find another apartment and move. It's really not a health department issue.
When I lived in Boston many years ago I found the same problem with heat not reaching my third floor apt. on Shirley Ave. in Revere.
I asked several times for some heat and got none so I packed my stuff in the car and moved in with friends.
There are usually rules about keeping apts. warm but I've never heard any for keeping them cool. It's possible the electric won't support a window unit and you could cause a fire. Get out as fast as you can. --76.99.xxx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by RR [WA]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 8:30 PM
Message:
Sometimes window units are not allowed by CC&Rs, city codes, etc. Or they just plain look ugly and the landlord does not want to see them.
Electric capacity may be an issue too. What is the reason that the landlord gave to you?
Let's consider other options. 1) run a fan to move cool air into the bedroom. 2) buy a portable AC which is not window-mounted. 3) install heavy window coverings that will keep heat out.
Talk to your landlord, try to understand his point of view - and then discuss options. --98.247.xx.xxx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by cassie [MD]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 8:37 PM
Message:
I have tried using 2-3 fans at a time and it is no help. All it does is blow hot air around. She tried to say that it was in the lease, However it is not listed anywhere. I have also mentioned fixing the unit and she has yet to fix it after being in the apartment 4 times. This isn't the first run in that we've had. --152.121.xx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by Katherine [TX]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 9:58 PM
Message:
Ask your landlord (be nice and be courteous) to explain where this is in the lease (about window units).
Ask her to specify for you in writing why she does not want the window unit installed.
There IS the issue about electric load, but it seems that if you were to turn off the main AC unit (its not cooling anyway) and just run your window unit at night, then capacity is not likely the issue.
When you say "main" unit, do you mean a central AC unit? Has it been kept up? It will not cool if it is low on coolant.
Generally something like a central AC unit is provided by the LL as part of the building, and a tenant has a reasonable expectation that it should be in good working (cooling in this case) order.
You need to be courteous and see if you can get to the bottom of this. Otherwise as Ally noted, you should move. The trouble is of course that you have a lease your LL could try and hold you to it if you leave before the lease is up.
Can you have a level-headed conversation with your LL? That would be the place to start. You should not expect anything more than systems provided with your unit to be in working order.
Keep in mind too that if you are running a unit too hard (particularly a window unit - if that is the "main" unit) you can freeze up the coils through overuse.
This causes failure in cooling, but is really caused by overuse. You have to shut it off and let it thaw in such an instance, and then run it on a lower setting (and NOT all the time).
Next time you rent a place be sure you get one with central AC, if this one doesn't have it.
That heat/humidity can be stiffling on the east coast, but you may have signed on for this unaware that you were going to be stuck in a lease that might be expensive to get out of.
Be level headed and be solution oriented. Good luck. --68.93.xxx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by CASSIE [MD]) Posted on: May 27, 2009 10:24 PM
Message:
Thank you everyone for your advice!! I've only been running the window unit enough to keep my bedroom cool. I only run it at peak temps and only when I am home. If I break my lease then I will be charged $800. My mom passed away in august and I'm getting ready to buy her house since it didn't sell. So only two more months of this crappy place! --152.121.xx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by ManateeAlley [FL]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 4:28 AM
Message:
I'll bet your Landlord didn't tell you that you couldn't repair outboard motors in your living room either, or hang glide off the roof, or lots of unwritten "given's". Do as your Landlord requests, OR you could buy your own building, and then you too can be "master of your own domain". --67.191.x.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by John [NJ]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 5:03 AM
Message:
Once you stated "I have not slept in 2 weeks because of the heat." I can only assume the rest of your story is b.s.
John
New Jersey --192.4.xxx.xxx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 5:04 AM
Message:
I would ask him to just fix the AC.
If it only gets to 87 degress there is a problem.
If you rented the place with central AC you should expect it to go to at least 78. --71.246.xxx.xxx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by John [OR]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 6:35 AM
Message:
This is a landlord site. You won't get much sympathy here. There are ac units that are not window mounted. Window units are restricted more and more by codes and CC & R's. They are also security hazards, subject to theft and a problem for fire fighters. It is not all about you. --24.21.xxx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by Hamlet [GA]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 7:00 AM
Message:
I am happy when my tenants install their own window units - less wear and tear on my HVAC. A few do that, no complaints from me, and I am not aware of any codes that prohibit this (but I'm not in the People's Republic of Maryland, either - the state trying to run all the high income earners away - and successfully). --98.66.xxx.x |
AC AND APARTMENT (by Larry [MN]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 7:18 AM
Message:
If you rented a unit with A/C and it doesn't work you can file a rent escrow action with your county. This will place your rent into escrow until repairs are made (this is assuming your escrow request is granted). Your landlord will get that A/C fixed mighty fast once they realize they aren't getting any rental income. --75.73.xxx.xxx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by billy [MA]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 7:19 AM
Message:
there is a law in mass that says they cant let it get above 78 or 80 or so.in mass they would be in violation.the simple thing is to move.or ck your local laws at board of health or library and fight.it might be simpler and less hassle to just leave. --208.58.x.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by Barbara [VA]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 9:18 AM
Message:
Invest in a portable AC unit. You won't have the uglyness of the AC hanging out the window. You also won't have the concern of it damaging the window sill.
You can also roll it around to whatever room you want to cool. They are heavy, but do roll around, so it's just getting it up stairs that is a problem.
--71.176.xx.xx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by Nancy [IN]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 2:17 PM
Message:
I also would ask the LL to repair the AC. 87 degrees is too high. I could not tolerate that, for sure. I keep it under 70!
Tell your landlord that you apologize for installing the window AC, that you would like to know where this is covered in the Lease, and that you also only did it because the room was 87 degrees. Ask if the LL can send a repairman for the central AC so that you don't need a window unit at all, as you too would prefer not to have it.
Be courteous and hopefully it will be repaired for you. This is a reasonable request, in my view. --65.54.xxx.xxx |
AC AND APARTMENT (by JC [OH]) Posted on: May 28, 2009 6:57 PM
Message:
As Barbara stated, get a portable unit. The y sell them at Lowes and Home Depot. If you don't want to spend the cash the your LL can't or won't fix the ac then move. No way I could live without ac in my bedroom... --66.72.xxx.xxx |
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