A/C repair in CA

[octagondd]

What is the name of your state? Los Angeles, CA

Prelude: I have read the thread about A/C from a guy in Modesto, so I understand the landlord is not obligated to repair it.

My A/C went out a month ago and I submitted in writing to the manager a request for repair. A repairman came out and it worked for a couple days. I wrote once and called once again about the A/C not working. Each time the repairman came out, and it worked for a short time and then stopped again. The repairman said he was re-charging the freon each time he came out and acknowledged he believed it was a leak and he was trying to track it down. Two weeks from the last "repair," I had enough. I submitted another repair request and asked if I should pay rent the next month. The obviously annoyed repairman came out on a Saturday to try and fix it again. Still broken.

I now have to pay rent tomorrow, so I called the landlord and asked if someone was fixing or replacing the unit. He said the repairman would be here tomorrow to look at it again. I asked if I should pay rent, or if we could work something out for future monthly rent, and the landlord said he was not legally obligated to provide A/C, but that he would look into it for me. He also said I could opt out of my lease (I believe with no penalties,) all the while stating how I was such a valued tenant and a first rate guy. He also stated that I was paying $200 less than anyone else per month in rent. I decoded this as, I should feel lucky I pay $900 a month for a one bedroom apartment, but what it probably really meant was, they want me to move out.

So, I did a little research on the great information superhighway, and found out that the repairman should not have re-charged the freon until he had found and repaired the leak. It is a Federal offense to allow CFC's into the air.

Should I use this to put some pressure on the landlord to work out a deal? Also, since the repairman seems incompetant, should I ask to see his HVAC certification? The landlord said he was a certified plumber, electrician, contractor and HVAC repair, but I doubt it since it has taken a month and still no A/C as well as the re-charging of the freon at least 3 times.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

 

[octagondd]

Re:A/C Repair in CA

What sort of consequences would there be if I reported the landlord to the EPA? Or, if I got a lawyer involved, would the Federal offenses help in establishing
the neglect of the LL?

 

[octagondd]

A/C Repair

Sorry, didn't realize I had clicked something that didn't allow people to respond.
This is my first time on this site.

 

[JETX]

Should I use this to put some pressure on the landlord to work out a deal?

Not a legal question.

Also, since the repairman seems incompetant, should I ask to see his HVAC certification?

You can if you want.

 

[octagondd]

A/C Repair

OK, let me re-phrase. How much is the penalty for each instance of Freon release into the air? Maybe I should be asking this question in a different forum, but it pertains to a LL/Tenant problem.

Is the EPA in charge of this?

 

[bdancer]

The landlord said he was a certified plumber, electrician, contractor and HVAC repair, but I doubt it since it has taken a month and still no A/C as well as the re-charging of the freon at least 3 times.

Okay, I can believe a certified electrician and HVAC. He could even have a contractor certification. But a certified electrician AND plumber AND HVAC????

The guy is most likely a handiman and doesn't really know what he's doing with that AC. Instead of wasting your time trying to get the Feds/EPA to come after the guy, why not find a reputable HVAC repair company and have them give you an estimate for repairs. You can then pass the estimate on to your landlord if its a large $$ amount or if it's a smaller amount, I'd just pay (but I couldn't stand to not have functional AC) and maybe ask for reimbursement.

You may find the problem has nothing to do with a freon leak. There are all sorts of reasons for the AC to not cool and a freon leak is NOT the most common.

 

[octagondd]

Thank you for your input. I am seriously thinking about taking your advice about the estimate.

Here's the thing though. When he recharged the freon, the unit worked. The first time for three days, the next time a couple days, and the last time, for only 4 hours. And why would he have to re-charge the freon everytime? It must have been leaking and he acknowledged that that was what he thought the problem was.

I have since heard from the repairman and he said he found the problem and needed to order a part. I will call and ask him again if the freon was leaking.

I have asked for a refund but the LL doesn't really want to budge since A/C is not required in the housing code for habitability.

 

[bdancer]

Chances are there isn't a freon leak at all. Re-charging will make a temp fix sometimes but when the real problem is fixed, you might just end up with an over-charged unit!

I have absolutely no faith in an HVAC repair person who immediately claims the problem is a freon leak and they don't know where.

 

[octagondd]

Thank you for your thoughts. It is really helping me formulate a plan of action.


I am going to ask that all work on my A/C be terminated until I get a second opinion. I will ask for a copy of all my maintenance request forms as well as a copy of the maintenance records from the repairman for my A/C unit. I will ask for a copy of all the current licenses of the repairman to see if my landlord lied to me.

When my second opinion tells me what is wrong, I will get it in writing, and if there was a leak, I will ask him to sign a document stating that there was a leak and that if the unit was recharged with a CFC, the CFC would be expelled into the air or my apartment. The EPA thing is the only leverage I believe I have since A/C is not required for habitability. I also have one degree of seperation to the Governor, but I don't think I'll try that.

btw Do you know if there are any gauges for freon level on a typical apartment building rooftop A/C unit?

 

[bdancer]

I think you are planning on spending a whole lot of time and energy to piss off your landlord!!! While your making a mountain out of a molehill, you might want to start looking for another place to live. Cause I think your landlord won't be renewing your lease if you go thru all that drama!!

Do you want a functional AC or do you want to get "even"?

 

[CAlandlords]

I think you are planning on spending a whole lot of time and energy to piss off your landlord!!! While your making a mountain out of a molehill, you might want to start looking for another place to live. Cause I think your landlord won't be renewing your lease if you go thru all that drama!!

Do you want a functional AC or do you want to get "even"?

My thoughts exactly. Just pay for it yourself or buy some fans.

 

[JETX]

Yep, I agree.
You might win the battle (of the A/C repair), but lose the war (and have to move). And if you don't have a WRITTEN term lease, your move might be far sooner than you want.