View Full Version : Is an evaporative (swamp) cooler the tenants responsibility to maintain?
smokey01
Aug 23, 2011, 08:03 AM
The home I am renting is in need of new pads for the evaporative cooler. It has been over a year since these have been changed and are full of lime deposit and the unit will not cool properly. The landlord is telling me to replace them.
I have a lease agreement and nowhere does it say I am responsible for this. Landlord also stated that it is routine maintenance, I think that it is his responsibility, who is right?
ballengerb1
Aug 23, 2011, 08:06 AM
Do you mow the lawn and shovel the snow as well as replace water filters and air filters?
AK lawyer
Aug 23, 2011, 08:09 AM
Do you replace light bulbs when they burn out, or is that the landlord's responsibility?
The lease is silent on this issue and doesn't mention "routine maintenance" at all, correct?
Fr_Chuck
Aug 23, 2011, 08:29 AM
Normally routine things like air or water filters, and things like mowing for homes with yards are just standard items the renter takes care of.
smokey01
Aug 23, 2011, 11:30 AM
Water filter is replaced by me yes, because the fridge is equipped with one and I own the fridge. Air filter for the main heating/cooling system, yes I also replace. But for the evap cooler (a separate unit requiring routine maintenance) would to me be the landlord"s responsibility.
Snow removal, mowing the lawn, and changing light bulbs? That is what you compare this to?
The lease states "landlord is to maintain in good and safe working order all existing appliances, plumbing and electrical facilities."
ballengerb1
Aug 23, 2011, 11:32 AM
Smokey, I asked those questions to get a better fel for what you have already accepted to do even though they are not in your lease. I'd say, le4ase is mute on this point, so you don't do the evaporatpor or the furnace filter.
AK lawyer
Aug 23, 2011, 01:57 PM
...
The lease states "landlord is to maintain in good and safe working order all existing appliances, plumbing and electrical facilities."
Ok. In that case, assuming an "evaporative (swamp) cooler", whatever that is, is one of those, yes, LL maintains.
99% of questions of this nature can be answered by reference to the lease.
twinkiedooter
Aug 24, 2011, 07:30 PM
Ok. In that case, assuming an "evaporative (swamp) cooler", whatever that is, is one of those, yes, LL maintains.
99% of questions of this nature can be answered by reference to the lease.
In Airzona they don't have regular air conditioners like they do in Florida or up North as the air is so DRY that they can't have those types of units sucking more moisture out of the air. The swamp coolers pump cool moist air into the home making it feel cool with the cool moist air. Swamp coolers are slang out west. The unit actually sits on the roof as well.
And I seriously doubt Mesa, Arizona has much snow shoveling either.