What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA
I read through a number of past posts similar to my issue but nothing exactly the same so I wanted to post.
I rent a single family house from a small realty co. I have been in the house for almost 2 years (Sept) and have had numerous problems every season with my HVAC system (3-4 breakdowns every winter and summer). My LL has sent his DIY repair guy over everytime and sometimes he can fix it and sometimes he can't. This summer there have already been 4 service calls for no air. A professional company was called by the LL (after his guy couldn't fix it) early in the season and they replaced 2 substantial parts on the outside unit. It broke again this past Monday and after 3 more visits by his repair guy and a visit by a professional company (who he wouldn't authorize to do the repairs due to the high estimate), and then a visit from a master technician who is also a friend of the LL, the system has now been found to be unrepairable.
After the second night of sleeping in my house with an indoor temp of 90 degrees (and I have asthma), I bought 2 window units to hold me over until they could come to a solution. Now that we know the system is unrepairable, I'm quite sure the LL will continue to stall as long as he can because he has told me he can't afford to put a new system in the house.
I know there is no "repair and deduct" law in VA and I have to give him written notice to make the repairs and a "reasonable" amount of time before I begin to put the rent in an escrow acct with the court. My question is, how long is a reasonable time with regard to A/C repair in the middle of summer? The VA renters rights guidelines say its usually between 21 and 30 days except in emergencies, so is this considered an emergency? Also, he is risking damage in the form of mold and mildew as I did not purchase window units to cool every room, only the common areas and my bedroom.
And given the fact that he is supposed to be putting us up in a "suitable location" while the A/C is out but I have chosen to stay and just use the window units I bought, can I deduct what I paid for the units from the rent?
Any info would be helpful.
Thank you.
I read through a number of past posts similar to my issue but nothing exactly the same so I wanted to post.
I rent a single family house from a small realty co. I have been in the house for almost 2 years (Sept) and have had numerous problems every season with my HVAC system (3-4 breakdowns every winter and summer). My LL has sent his DIY repair guy over everytime and sometimes he can fix it and sometimes he can't. This summer there have already been 4 service calls for no air. A professional company was called by the LL (after his guy couldn't fix it) early in the season and they replaced 2 substantial parts on the outside unit. It broke again this past Monday and after 3 more visits by his repair guy and a visit by a professional company (who he wouldn't authorize to do the repairs due to the high estimate), and then a visit from a master technician who is also a friend of the LL, the system has now been found to be unrepairable.
After the second night of sleeping in my house with an indoor temp of 90 degrees (and I have asthma), I bought 2 window units to hold me over until they could come to a solution. Now that we know the system is unrepairable, I'm quite sure the LL will continue to stall as long as he can because he has told me he can't afford to put a new system in the house.
I know there is no "repair and deduct" law in VA and I have to give him written notice to make the repairs and a "reasonable" amount of time before I begin to put the rent in an escrow acct with the court. My question is, how long is a reasonable time with regard to A/C repair in the middle of summer? The VA renters rights guidelines say its usually between 21 and 30 days except in emergencies, so is this considered an emergency? Also, he is risking damage in the form of mold and mildew as I did not purchase window units to cool every room, only the common areas and my bedroom.
And given the fact that he is supposed to be putting us up in a "suitable location" while the A/C is out but I have chosen to stay and just use the window units I bought, can I deduct what I paid for the units from the rent?
Any info would be helpful.
Thank you.