Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Rental Maintenance

I live in a rental in So Cal the temperatures have already reached into the high 90's. Three weeks ago I phone the property management company to let them know the a/c is not working, I'm still waiting. How long do I have to wait for service?


Asked on 5/04/09, 5:42 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Rental Maintenance

Document in writing your complaint to the landlord/property manager, and remind them of your prior call[s], tell them you'll give them a specific reasonable number of days to get it fixed, or you'll have it fixed and deduct it from your rent payment.

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Answered on 5/04/09, 6:19 pm
Scott Linden Scott H. Linden, Esq.

Re: Rental Maintenance

Unfortunately, the answer is a "reasonable" time. Without reading the terms of your lease...I would suggest calling the management company and leting them know that you will fix the AC and then deduct it from the next rent; follow up the conversation with a writing stating the same. A residential rental must be in "habitable" condition, the question is, does this require a working AC unit. I know the Valley areas quite well, personally, I would consider no AC, when the place was rented with one, makes in uninhabitable, but, again, the lease needs to be reviewed to see if it states who has the responsibility for maintenence and repairs.

If you would like to discuss this matter further in a more private forum, please feel free to contact me directly at the email address provided by LawGuru or through our firm�s website located at PasadenaEstatePlanning.com

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Answered on 5/04/09, 7:26 pm


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