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-   -   Is an evaporative (swamp) cooler the tenants responsibility to maintain? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=594124)

  • Aug 23, 2011, 08:03 AM
    smokey01
    Is an evaporative (swamp) cooler the tenants responsibility to maintain?
    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?
  • Aug 23, 2011, 08:06 AM
    ballengerb1
    Do you mow the lawn and shovel the snow as well as replace water filters and air filters?
  • Aug 23, 2011, 08:09 AM
    AK lawyer
    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?
  • Aug 23, 2011, 08:29 AM
    Fr_Chuck
    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.
  • Aug 23, 2011, 11:30 AM
    smokey01
    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."
  • Aug 23, 2011, 11:32 AM
    ballengerb1
    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.
  • Aug 23, 2011, 01:57 PM
    AK lawyer
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by smokey01 View Post
    ...
    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.
  • Aug 24, 2011, 07:30 PM
    twinkiedooter
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AK lawyer View Post
    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.

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