Summer is approaching and that means many of us will be turning on the trusty AC to keep cool. But who is responsible for maintaining and repairing an air conditioner in a rental property?
Air conditioners are the joint responsibility of the owner and the tenant. David Ellingsen of Metropolitan Air Conditioning explains who's responsible for what in this arrangement so we can all do our part to beat the heat this summer.
Living in Australia you would be forgiven for thinking that it is necessary to have an air conditioner in a rental property. It can get unbearably hot during our summers without one.
No Australian state requires an owner to provide air conditioning. Victoria and Tasmania require radiators to be placed in living rooms, but neither of these requirements exist for an air conditioning system.
Victoria owners must have a 'good working' stationary heater in the main living room as of March 2021. As of March 29, 2023, this heater must also meet requirements. energy efficiency standards. This can include a heat pump, gas radiator, ducted heating, hydronic heating, or even a fireplace.
Tasmania has similar requirements but has not yet introduced energy efficiency standards.
Landlords want their tenants to renew their leases to maintain regular income. So, in rental buildings where there is no air conditioner, it is worth considering installing one if a tenant requests it.
As a tenant, it is important that you consider that your landlord may not have the funds to install one on the spot. Offering to pay extra rent to cover costs or pay part of the bill yourself can go a long way in helping you get that new air conditioning.
If your air conditioner installation request is denied, you can still get a portable air conditioner and all maintenance and repairs are your responsibility.
No, an owner is not responsible for cleaning air conditioner filters. It is the tenant's responsibility to keep the property reasonably clean and free from hazards.
Landlords are generally responsible for a cleaning at the start of a new tenancy so that the property is ready for the new tenant. Fortunately, most air conditioner filters are easy to clean and can be easily cleaned two to four times a year by the tenant.
As a tenant, it is also in your best interests to keep these filters clean for your own health as well as to avoid faults caused by user error.
The responsibility for air conditioning repairs boils down to why it needs repairs in the first place. Where the tenant is at fault for not following the air conditioner maintenance according to the manufacturer's recommendations or due to user error, repairs are the tenant's responsibility.
When repairs are required due to wear over time, owners are responsible for the repairs. The legislation is largely the same across Australia and requires landlords to be responsible for keeping the fixtures and appliances included in rental property in working order. You can find out the responsibilities specific to your state / territory here:
For general repairs, the owner is required to have the repairs carried out within a reasonable time. As a tenant, you can organize urgent repairs yourself if they are not done by your landlord within a reasonable time and you have made an effort to have the landlord take care of it.
Each state varies in how the tenant is compensated for these repairs. If you are in NSW, your landlord will need to reimburse you up to $ 1,000. Victorians who need repairs up to $ 2,500 are reimbursed at a reasonable cost for repairs by the owner. If you are in the Northern Territory, you can negotiate a reduced rent to compensate.
When repairs are unavoidably necessary, it is important that you hire a fully licensed and experienced air conditioning technician to do the job properly. That said, you are ready to unwind this summer whether you are a renter or a homeowner.
This is a sponsored article.
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David Ellingsen is the founder and owner of Metropolitan Plumbing, Electrical and Air Conditioning. Launched in 1997, Metropolitan is well known for its iconic advertisement for drip faucets and bright blue vans. reflect the views of your investment property.
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