I debated about whether or not I should title this post “Recycled Summer Time Post.” It seems like I write about this every year, and maybe because every year I get the same dumb complaints from Tenants about their a/c units not working properly. I’ll probably get dumb comments on this post like I did last time too.
First of all…it’s hot. When the temps are over 90 degrees, then be prepared for rough afternoons. Meaning, don’t call me (the Landlord) and complain because you (the Tenant) have your thermostat set at 69 and it’s 75 in the house at 3 0′clock in the afternoon. You will then get a rash of idiot questions from me such as: 1) are your windows all closed and locked? 2) Do your kids keep running in and out? 3) Did you just turn the thermostat down a few minutes ago and you’re too impatient to wait it out? OK, you’re only off about 6 degrees when it is blistering hot outside. So unless, it’s 85 in your house…why are you bothering me?
Done ranting now.
In all seriousness, most calls I get are legit. It’s just some of the obnoxious 6-degrees-off phone calls that I get only to find out that they didn’t realize that one of the living room windows wasn’t closed all the way. Here is what I advise that you check before making the call to your Landlord (in addition to the above named idiot questions):
- Have you changed your furnace filter recently?
The filters should be changed every 3 months. Clogged up, dirty filters cause the unit to stop running. Change the filter and give it some time to start back up and it should start cooling. FYI, if I have to send our a/c guy out there to change your dirty filter, you will most likely get charged for the service call. - Is there cold air blowing out of the registers? If so, wait it out a few more minutes.
- Is your thermostat digital and if so, do you need to change the battery?
- Have you flipped the breaker in the main panel?
- Have you flipped the breaker at the other box on the outside of the house next to the a/c unit?
- Is the outside unit running at all?
- Is the outside unit frozen over? Usually when it is frozen over, it needs freon and only a licensed HVAC specialists can do that.
It’s only a start, but if you have checked the above items before you call the Landlord, they will take you a little more seriously, knowing that you’ve done your part. Therefore, your phone call and complaint is more than fair and legit one.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the elitist attitude you have.
I bet your ‘ Tenant’s’ are probably poor people who have nothing, sure your correct in saying the problem is solvable from there end but its your responsibility as a Landlord(that name in itself a elitist word)to see it thru no matter what. Maybe you should screen your potentials more closely, that is of course you have the time in between getting your nails done and lunching with your rich friends. where do you stand when you complain about your job as opposed to a tenant bothering you! Oh Iam sure you wont post this comment and Iam double sure I will be the “dumb comment” you spoke of. Get over your self or here is a novel idea ,,sell your shacks and you wont have to deal with the dumb and poor people you obviously do not like.
Hey Killpoke, nice grandbaby you’ve got in your profile pic—which was the dead giveaway of who you are. Seriously…as a fellow Springfield blogger, what is up with the troll-like comments you are posting on my blog? What in the world did I do to offend you?
Your right about the troll post but that said, you come off rather elitist in my opinion. As a property owner you should know that Tenants will have unfounded complaints. We all know that but having you complain about it is simply wrong.
I do not complain about my job I just do it.Your offense to me is quit clear, re read your own post and look at it from a poor persons view.
Perhaps,, no,, for sure I was crass towards you and I apologize for that,however I stand by what I said, if you cant handle the dumb calls you might get or do not like the Tenants you have you should ‘move’ on to something else that suits your ideal life. most of us do not understand what your complaint is about, or at least I do not.
MY real problem is I had a 72 year old uncle who had just moved into a rental last year in a Chicago suburb, his rental agreement included a/c but when he called his Landlord she told him “she is done with fixing or buying A/Cs.
He died a few weeks later of undetermined causes,but when he was found two of the four windows where unoperatable no a/c and the heat was unbearable. So my feelings are a bit off kilt!
Now your not going to tell me that not all landlords are like that right! Really , lets look at that. Today I will stand back and rethink my comment I had for you, maybe I was wrong but I will take a moment to figure that out ,if I got under you skin I did not mean to, but it came off as a personal thing to me, But again I do apologize for that. Also I simply wanted to make a anonymous comment,representing Tenants in a way.In fact this was the first time I ever did a ‘Anonymous’ comment. I have no problem telling you or anyone else who I am KILLPOKE so their! Some of the better blogs I read are from Springfield bloggers and I consider yours to be one of them.
aaah Makin Friends ay!!
This may change your mind on my “elitist attitude”…I don’t own these rental properties that I speak of. I am only an office/property manager taking care of them for real estate investors. From that title alone, you should see that I am not out “getting my nails done and lunching with my rich friends.” I have done this for the last 10 years with the company I currently work for and 99% of the time I like my job or I wouldn’t have been with it as long as I have.
However, if personal blogs aren’t there to allow the venting of some frustrations and points of view with everyday life and work, then doesn’t that defeat some of the purposes of blogging?
As far as your elderly uncle, I feel for you and your “off-kilt” feelings are justified. However, not all Landlords are bad people. They are people and they get frustrated, as all humans do. Although it does NOT give them the right to mistreat someone or fall short on their end of a lease agreement.
Thank you for your apology and for the compliment on my blog all at the same time.
I’m always late to the fireworks…