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Things can heat up quickly if your AC is out and your landlord refuses to fix it. Instead of losing your temper or sulking in a hot apartment, learn about your rights as a tenant and the best way to solve the problem.
According to Texas state law, landlords are required to fix issues that negatively impact the health and safety of their tenants. Texas summer heat can certainly be a danger to residents stuck in homes with no air conditioning. If you’ve found yourself dealing with a broken AC unit and a stubborn landlord, act accordingly with the law in order to resolve the issue.
Here are some steps to help you get your AC back and running:
- Notify the Apartment Manager or Landlord. It’s best to do this in writing or by email in order to have documentation of the interaction.
- Check Your Lease. If your lease states that AC repair costs are the responsibility of the landlord, then you have legal precedent not to pay for AC repairs. If there is nothing explicit about AC repairs in the lease, then you’ll have to take other measures to get your air conditioner fixed.
- Call the City and Register a Complaint. If your landlord does not act within a reasonable time frame, then you can call city services at 311 to register a complaint.
- Mail a Letter Requesting Repairs. Before taking a legal stand, you must mail your repair request to the landlord or apartment manager. Make sure to keep a copy for your records and get a certified return receipt upon mailing the request to prove that the letter was delivered.
- Continue Paying Rent. Even if your landlord is clearly in the wrong, continue paying your rent. By doing so you protect yourself from legal issues down the road.
Summer is a bad time of year to be worried about emergency air conditioning repairs in your rental. If you’re concerned about the safety of your family, don’t hesitate to get your AC fixed. Richmond’s Air offers a range of HVAC services to help you get the temperature of your home back to safe and comfortable levels.
