Air conditioning isn’t an essential service, but once it’s in the rental unit, the landlord should maintain it as needed. The lease agreement can stipulate whether the HVAC upkeep is shared or only the landlord’s responsibility. In the case of shared duties, the tenant takes care of the minor maintenance tasks.

Who pays for air conditioning repairs in rentals?

Shared Responsibility A common way to allocate responsibility for HVAC is to have the tenant pay for maintenance/repairs and the landlord pay for replacement. It is a good idea for the landlord to require a contract between a qualified HVAC service company and the tenant.

Is tenant responsible for air filters?

When you move in, the landlord should have conveyed the apartment or home with a clean air filter, but continuing to change those filters each month is the renter’s responsibility. Change your air filters (monthly or every other month in the winter).

How often should landlords change air filters?

Air filters typically need to be replaced every 1-3 months. The exact frequency can vary based on several factors, such as the HVAC system in your home, the type of filters used, the requirements in your lease, or particularly dusty conditions.

How often should you replace an air filter?

As a general rule, you’ll want to replace pleated air filters and furnace filters in your home every 90 days. The longer the filter is in place, the more dirt, dust and allergens are trapped clogging the filter and decreasing their efficiency.

Do landlords have to change air filters?

Do landlords supply air filters?

Renters are usually expected to replace air filters themselves. This includes the purchase of the filters, although many landlords will provide a couple of extra filters as a courtesy. There are some variations, however, and you should check your lease for the specific expectations.

What happens if you don t change your air filter?

If you don’t change your AC filter, it will begin to fail. It will no longer be able to filter the air properly, letting dust and contaminants get into the AC. Dust jams the moving parts of an AC such as fan motors and valves. Airflow is restricted which creates a strain on the system.

How long does an air filter last in a house?

The types of AC filters used in your home can impact how often you replace the filters. If you use standard 1 to 3-inch air filters, you should change filters every 30 to 60 days if you are allergy-free. Should you suffer light to moderate allergies, change filters or replace them more often, around every three weeks.