When the summer months arrive in Illinois, many people are harshly reminded of just how hot it can get in our fair state. If you’re renting a unit without air conditioning, chances are that you start to feel the heat around May each year. No one wants to spend their summer sweltering, but unfortunately, your hot apartment might not be your landlord’s problem. Keep reading to learn more about what the law in Illinois has to say about your landlord’s obligations to provide you with working air conditioning.
What Illinois Law Says About Heating and Cooling
The bad news is that landlords in Illinois are not required by law to provide air conditioning in their rental properties. This is unfortunate, as while Illinois might be in a part of the country that’s known for its frigid winters, the summers here can be equally uncomfortable. Between the humidity and high temperatures, the middle of July in Illinois can feel no different than it does in the Deep South.
However, you don’t have to worry about freezing in the winter. Not only are landlords required to provide heat in their rental properties, but the heating system must be capable of heating the unit to at least 68 degrees. If your landlord hasn’t provided heat to your unit or refuses to repair a dysfunctional system, you have rights and are entitled to take the appropriate legal measures to protect your safety, health, and rights as a tenant.
But There’s a Catch…
Unfortunately, your landlord isn’t required to provide air conditioning to you. However, an exception to this rule prevents landlords from pulling a bait and switch. If your home had working air conditioning when you first moved in, the landlord must fix it should it break or malfunction. Some unscrupulous landlords will try to argue that Illinois state law doesn’t require them to provide you with air conditioning, but they must if a functioning air conditioning system was part of the appeal that enticed you to move into the property in the first place.
What to Do If a Landlord Refuses to Fix a Broken AC
Sadly, some landlords will attempt to do as little as possible when fixing issues in your home. While most landlords are great at handling repairs, there are certainly some bad apples out there. It’s unfair that tenants often find themselves stuck in lease agreements with landlords who don’t seem to care about holding up their half of the bargain.
The best thing to do is to explain to your landlord that they need to repair the broken air conditioner if it was functioning when you first signed the lease and moved into the unit. If they’re reluctant to pay for the repair outright, offer them a repair-to-deduct agreement. In this agreement, you pay for the repair and then deduct the cost from your next rent payment. Many landlords will agree to this because it requires little effort from them.
If your landlord won’t budge, you might need to explore your legal options. While managing a rental property can be stressful and expensive, there’s no excuse to not provide tenants with the basic amenities that were promised during their move-in process.
Be a Rockstar Tenant
If you have a great landlord who’s always willing to work with you and make necessary repairs, be a rockstar tenant and bring any small heating and cooling issues to their attention before these little problems escalate into big ones. For example, if your air conditioning system makes a rattling noise, don’t wait until the entire system stops working to call your landlord. By notifying your landlord of the issue early on, you’ll help them minimize the repair costs. These savings could even be considered when it comes time for your landlord to determine whether or not they need to increase rent prices to ensure their properties remain profitable.
The Air Conditioning Repair You Need
Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant in a repair-to-deduct agreement, the professionals at Allegiance Heating & Cooling are ready to help you repair your faulty air conditioning system. We also provide heating services, which means that you’ll enjoy a comfortable home each day of the year. Call us today to book an appointment.
