ceiling fan wars

[jggg]

I rented an apt with three ceiling fans in the three main rooms. Since there is no air conditioning, I thought the ceiling fans would supplement or even save me the cost of having to buy and install a couple of a/c window units.

However, none of the ceiling fans work properly; they all wobble and squeal loudly, and I showed the landlord, who agreed that they were unusable and need to be replaced.

Unfortunately, the landlord also says he isn't responsible for them since they were installed by former tenants and it isn't up to him to fix them. I say I rented the place with the fans already installed, and he should fix them or replace them, or if I do it, then I would deduct the cost of replacing/fixing them from my rent.

Who is correct in this situation? Thanks.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

What state do you rent in? In matters in regards to what a tenant can do regarding repair issues.

In addition, a wobbly ceiling fan does not necessarily mean the entire fan must be replaced. The attached describes the most common reasons for wobbly ceiling fans:

http://www.ehow.com/how_117708_fix-wobbly-overhead.html

Gail

 

[jggg]

Thanks for such a speedy reply! I live in NY. I had already looked up wobbly/screeching ceiling fans to get ideas of what the problems could be, but I have no intention of going DIY on anything that is not my property, much less any kind of electrical fixtures.

 

[Gail in Georgia]

Check out page 18 of the attached:

http://www2.nycbar.org/pdf/report/tenantsguide.pdf

This information may be different if you live in New York STATE as opposed to New York CITY.

The bottom line is that even if former tenants installed the ceiling fans, once an item is permanently attached to a rental dwelling (as opposed to some item can be unplugged such as a washer, for example), it becomes the property of the landlord and thus their responsibility to keep it in good working order if it is included as part of the lease. Again, this may require nothing more than making sure the unit is screwed tightly into the junction box in the ceiling.

Gail

 

[You Are Guilty]

Sounds like you just need to balance the blades. Should cost under $5 per fan and take you 20-30 minutes. Certainly not worth fighting your LL over and potentially getting evicted for non-payment of rent.

No endorsement implied (just the first google hit), but look for something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/American-De-Rosa-Ceiling-Balancing/dp/B00061NMYE

 

[jggg]

Thanks again for the replies. I still feel that I should not attempt to repair anything in the apt or do anything in the apt that can give the landlord any cause to blame me for any damage. I have notified the landlord in writing that I do not feel safe with the fans the way they are and that I need an electrician to come and take a look at them and take it from there. I would think that common sense should prevail; the fans were there when I moved in, regardless of who the landlord says installed them, and therefore are the landlord's responsibility. However, searching has also shown that most laws in NYS regarding landlord obligations do not apply to landlords who have less than five tenants in one location.

 

[ecmst12]

If the fans are not mentioned in your lease, he also has the option of simply removing them and replacing them with ordinary light fixtures.

 

[FarmerJ]

If your Landlord didnt want responsibility for them then he should have removed them before you ever saw the unit then he should have removed them , even if they are not listed in the lease SO what , they are part of the structures mechanical system now and became his when other tenant moved out , Its fair to argue your not obligated to do a thing to the fans because they are his , and your states landlord tenant laws dont excuse his obligation to repair this. Send to him a certified letter asking him to balance them , keep a copy of it for your records.