Aircon (Refill liquid & clean outdoor) - who needs to pay ?

[cyberceline]

Dear all,

I moved into my current unit 5 months ago. After 3 months I did the aircon servicing. The technician mentioned that all is ok, just that the outside devices (on the balcony) are very dirty and that some cooling liquid is running low.

He asked me if I want to change now or next time, I postponed. Now in about a month I will request for the next quarterly maintenance and I am sure the technician will ask me the same thing.

By looking at the outdoor unit of the aircon, it cant be that it got so dirty since I moved in, I believe it has not been cleaned by the last tenant. If i request the aircon company to clean it and to refill this cooling liquid (cant be that I used all of them as I have 3 aircon devices, only 1 running and only at night as I am not home during the day and no one else lives there) do I have to pay for it or can i send the bill to the landlord ? Cooling liquid 80 SGD and cleaning about 200 SGD...

Would be great to get your feedback.

Regards cyberceline

[PNGMK]

It's your cost. Probably mentioned in the T/A you signed. The reason being is that the aircon gets dirty with use and if not used... doesn't get dirty.

[Strong Eagle]

Dear all,

I moved into my current unit 5 months ago. After 3 months I did the aircon servicing. The technician mentioned that all is ok, just that the outside devices (on the balcony) are very dirty and that some cooling liquid is running low.

He asked me if I want to change now or next time, I postponed. Now in about a month I will request for the next quarterly maintenance and I am sure the technician will ask me the same thing.

By looking at the outdoor unit of the aircon, it cant be that it got so dirty since I moved in, I believe it has not been cleaned by the last tenant. If i request the aircon company to clean it and to refill this cooling liquid (cant be that I used all of them as I have 3 aircon devices, only 1 running and only at night as I am not home during the day and no one else lives there) do I have to pay for it or can i send the bill to the landlord ? Cooling liquid 80 SGD and cleaning about 200 SGD...

Would be great to get your feedback.

Regards cyberceline

Get another aircon company. They are trying to steal from you. The most common ruses in the world are, a) It needs more cooling fluid, and b) It is "sooooooo" dirty, must have special cleaning.

Tell them to f*ck off. Do nothing more than the minimum required by your lease.

[ecureilx]

It's your cost. Probably mentioned in the T/A you signed. The reason being is that the aircon gets dirty with use and if not used... doesn't get dirty.

as someone who did time as a Hvac technician, outdoor units do need cleaning, and per agreement with landlord you need to service whether you like it or not

I only would dispute the frequency of service .. but again if agreement says 12 Times a year and you signed it, too bad ...

[x9200]

All the relevant TA clauses I've seen so far said that the tenant had to engage a reputable company to provide regular a/c maintenance. The scope of this maintenance was never specified so this is pretty much a gray area.

What I do if I have some doubts is to include to the TA a clause that the a/c units should be cleaned properly before the flat is handed over to me so it is clear I am not going to pay for any chemical washing within first year or so.

[martincymru]

I get proof that the landlord has serviced before I move in. I also comment if the unit looks shabby.

I do not service in between leaving unless I have been there a couple of years. I clean three days before check out and pass receipt to Landlord.

I don't use the air con btw, prefer open windows/fan