As a landlord, am I responsible to pay back tenant for air conditioning repairs, if they did not give me adequate time to make the repair on my own?
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As a landlord, am I responsible to pay back tenant for air conditioning repairs, if they did not give me adequate time to make the repair on my own?
Tenant has notified me of broken air conditioner twice, both time I told him I would have someone there the next morning. He insisted it could not wait ad hired someone himself, then forwards me the bill asking me to overnight a check. Broken A/C is not considered uninhabitable, and he still does not give me adequate time to fix it as a landlord ( not even 12 hours). Also, when I approach him, can I tell him if he continues to fix things without giving me a chance to as his landlord, he will be responsible for the cost on his own?
Asked on July 19, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Given the fact that your tenant did not give you adequate time to fix the air conditioning issue (less than 24 hours), you might consider giving the tenant a free pass this time but in the future, the tenant is not to fix items on his own unless in an absolute emergency situation.
I would have a landlord tenant attorney draft up a letter to this effect to be signed by you and the tenant.
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