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hiyaluv · May 5, 2014, 04:43 PM

My tenant said the A/C in our 750sqft condo that he rents is blowing, but it isn't cool. He had a repair guy come out and was told it was out of freon and needed a new motor. Without asking us our tenant had him replace the motor, add freon, put in carbon monoxide detector, and now wants about $750 to pay for it. I would have preferred a couple others came out and assessed the issue. The entire building is only 10 yrs old. Is it really likely a whole new motor was needed in addition to the freon just being low? Thanks

smoothy · May 5, 2014, 04:57 PM

Sure its possible. Even more likely if it's a heat pump, those run 12 months a year rather than just when its hot out. Happened in a townhouse I used to rent that was that age. Did they say motor or compressor? Most of those are built together as a sealed unit. $750 sounds quite a bit on the low end of the price range for the compressor assembly. But there is a separate fan motor outside and inside.

Were you notified when it failed before they called someone to come out? If they did and you didn't send anyone in a reasonible time (couple days) they were within their rights to call someone. However they should NOT have called them first then told you , "OH, by the way here's a bill because our A/C quit."

Where exactly was this located....State and Country....rights and laws vary somewhat according to location.

ballengerb1 · May 5, 2014, 07:57 PM

What exactly are you asking, do you want to know if you legally must pay or what. I would not pay for the carbon monoxide detector unless your city/state require them in rental units.

hiyaluv · May 12, 2014, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by smoothy

Sure its possible. Even more likely if it's a heat pump, those run 12 months a year rather than just when its hot out. Happened in a townhouse I used to rent that was that age. Did they say motor or compressor? Most of those are built together as a sealed unit. $750 sounds quite a bit on the low end of the price range for the compressor assembly. But there is a separate fan motor outside and inside.

Were you notified when it failed before they called someone to come out? If they did and you didn't send anyone in a reasonible time (couple days) they were within their rights to call someone. However they should NOT have called them first then told you , "OH, by the way here's a bill because our A/C quit."

Where exactly was this located....State and Country....rights and laws vary somewhat according to location.

Hi, thanks for responding. Tenant called at 6:30pm on a Friday and left a vm saying she had made an appointment for that Monday because the unit was running but it wasn't getting very cold. I returned the call w/in 24hrs and said she was free to keep the appointment, but to call me when the repair man was there, and that we would be by early that week to assess. We did not get any phone call at all until after the work was done. So, it wasn't even 1 business day, and the temperature was in the 60s that week so it wasn't urgent. We're waiting for a breakout of the bill.
Based on our lease, air conditioning is not included, and is at the expense of the tenant, but we're reasonable and will discuss. I think what bothers me is the tenant didn't give us the opportunity to get someone else out there for another opinion. Were now taking a strangers word that such an extensive repair was needed. I would have liked to have another professional agree that was truly was the issue and the tenant didn't give us that opportunity. Were is San Diego CA.

hiyaluv · May 12, 2014, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

What exactly are you asking, do you want to know if you legally must pay or what. I would not pay for the carbon monoxide detector unless your city/state require them in rental units.

Hi! Thanks for responding. Since my tenant didn't give me the opportunity to get a 2nd opinion on what needed to be done, Im wondering if it sounds reasonable that a whole new motor plus freeon was the appropriate course of action. (I continue to get even more suspicious when I see he talked tenant into things like a carbon monoxide detector, that I would have gladly installed for free. I wonder if the repair man just saw deep pockets and went for the most expensive repair option?) Were now taking a strangers word that such an extensive/expensive repair was needed. I know there is now no way to ever really know now, so I was curious if others with experience w/ air conditioners thought it was a likely condition on a 10 yr old 700sq/ft condo or if there were more affordable alternatives that should have been tried first.

ballengerb1 · May 12, 2014, 05:33 PM

Legally you are not required to pay for this repair. However, it is likely in the ballpark for the work done minus the carbon dectector. Tenants are responsible for any repairs they initiate on their own without your approval. However,she did tell you prior and you did not say no, " she was free to keep the appointment". This leaves room for doubt. I'd offer to spit the bill if AC is not part of her rental agreement.