The AC in our rented apartment broke. Is the landlord obligated to replace it?

 

Question:

We rent a floor of a house owned by a frum Jewish family. It came with an air conditioner already functionally installed into the wall of the house. It currently does not cool the house to a safe level and we have small children. We already pay a very high rent and barely have enough for food. I am aware that NY state law says AC is an amenity and not a necessity. Does halacha view this differently if the heat becomes dangerously high? It was built into the house many years prior to our renting from them.

 

Answer:

If there was no agreement in writing or verbally that the air-conditioner needs to be able to cool the entire home then the landlord does not have an obligation towards replacing the air conditioner or adding an additional air conditioner.

However, you can try asking the landlord if they would agree to give you credit towards your rent money for an additional window air conditioner unit to be purchased and installed (or possibly a purifying air fan).

 

 

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