CharacterBrief9121 t1_j7lgsar wrote on February 7, 2023 at 5:37 PM

Reply to comment by Travis123083 in [Renting] Am I able to repair and deduct in this situation? by coolgal212

I wouldn’t exactly classify a furnace as an appliance in the same fashion as a stove or fridge. You can live without either of those but a furnace means the difference between life and death in the winter.

In PA critical repairs must occur within 24 hrs of notifying property management/landlord. Heating is considered critical so it doesn’t matter what the lease says about it.

coolgal212 OP t1_j7li676 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 5:46 PM

That’s what the lawyer said - but our furnace is still heating up the unit, just not as well as it should + the inducer motor is broken. Does this change anything bc we still technically have heat? I just pulled up my original service request and saw that they put a note “there is nothing to be done to the heater at this time”. Obviously they just don’t want to fix it.

CharacterBrief9121 t1_j7ljgll wrote on February 7, 2023 at 5:54 PM

You said it yourself, it’s not working properly. These landlords will tell you to turn on the oven and leave the door open for heat while they’re comfortable at home taking your money. If they’re hurting because you need a repair they need to reevaluate their life choices and probably pick up a second jobs

For real though. It’s not working right then it’s broken. You aren’t getting full heat therefore the furnace isn’t working correctly and if the furnace is not working correctly then it is in fact not working, regardless at what capacity if it is fully working it isn’t fully working.

I don’t doubt there will be a minor disagreement when it’s all said and done but you have the law on your side. You’re paying the repair yourself, the same way as if the landlord would have paid it.

NOW saying that I almost guarantee you that the landlord will hit you some bs like “I could have gotten it done cheaper I won’t accept that.” Tell him to get bent and he should have taken care of it when you first said something. At this point get a lawyer. The cost for the lawyer will be repaid if this gets dragged out. If it does drag out withhold rent in a escrow account at your bank/credit union. Nothing will hurt more than “nonpayment” don’t let them fool you though the escrow hold is more than legal. Don’t sign anything from the landlord from the repair point on without a lawyer.

Pink_Slyvie t1_j7n0b62 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 11:40 PM

This has really had me thinking lately.

We need caps on rent, but we also need to require utilities to be included, and not cost too much. This would incentivize landlords to not take the cheapest option.

My place has terrible insulation for example, but why would he fix it, it costs him nothing.

MYOB3 t1_j7ljkdc wrote on February 7, 2023 at 5:55 PM

It may be limping along, but your heating bill is going to be WAY higher than it should be if the furnace were functioning properly! I would repair and deduct. If he objects, tell him that you will see him in court. No judge will side with a landlord refusing to keep a furnace in good working order!

Travis123083 t1_j7lrq32 wrote on February 7, 2023 at 6:48 PM

I just meant that I have it in my legal documents that I will maintain and repair/replace all appliances. And if I am unable to do so on a timely manner, you can break your lease with a full refund of the security deposit and that month's rent.

CharacterBrief9121 t1_j7lw8tb wrote on February 7, 2023 at 7:18 PM

Why would a tenant funded repair require breaking the lease? I’d assume my landlord would be in bad faith acting like that.

Travis123083 t1_j7maidb wrote on February 7, 2023 at 8:49 PM

Apparently, you didn't read what I wrote. I have this in my lease documents. I can't vouch for other landlords. I try to be fair.