Air-con and ceiling fan broke down. Am I expected to pay?

[jjk]

Hi,

The a/c (bedroom) and the ceiling fan (living room) in the place that I'm renting just broke down. I have never used the a/c (it's some super old type. not the nice and sleek types you see in new condos) as I have my own pedestal fan and the unit is pretty windy. The ceiling fan too. In use, but not often. I just found out that the a/c broke down when I got a service guy to come (part of the tenancy agreement to have it serviced) and when I tried the ceiling fan, realised it's spoilt too! (conspiracy by the machines...)

I have to inform my LL about these right? Would I be asked to pay anything for them? Is it part of wear and tear? The unit is 20+ years old, if that is relevant at all...

Thanks in advance!

[Saint]

If you have serviced the air con as er your TA then you don't have to pay for repairs/replacements of parts. Check your TA and see whether you have a section like below.

(g) To be responsible for all minor repairs and replacement of parts and other expendable items (excluding air-condition and other structural repairs) at its own expense up to SINGAPORE Dollars ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY ONLY($150.00) PER ITEM/PER REPAIR. For avoidance of doubt, the TENANT shall bear the first $150.00 and the LANDLORD WILL PAY THE EXCESS, for all repairs exceeding s$150.00 in total per item per repair unless caused by the wilful act and negligence of the Tenant.

[jjk]

Yes it does. So means I should be liable for up to $300? The a/c looks really old. I wonder if it's lifespan was up anyway. If there's a need to replace the entire a/c - because it's old and parts may not be available, I still have to pay the $150? my TA is also coming to an end in a few months' time. I'm not renewing...

[Saint]

Yes it does. So means I should be liable for up to $300? The a/c looks really old. I wonder if it's lifespan was up anyway. If there's a need to replace the entire a/c - because it's old and parts may not be available, I still have to pay the $150? my TA is also coming to an end in a few months' time. I'm not renewing...

Read it carefully again, it says "excluding air-condition" so you don't have to pay anything towards repairs/replacement

[jjk]

ahhh...yes...thanks for the reminder. My mind's all occupied with packing and planning the big move and now worrying about extra costs towards some repairs that I won't get to enjoy much as I'll be leaving. Any idea if that ceiling fan would be excluded too? or am I asking for too much? heehee...

[Saint]

Re the ceiling fan, this is a grey area. If the ceiling fan is old it should come under "fair wear and tear" and therefore the LL should bear the cost of repairing or replacing. If it's relatively new it could be cover under warrantee.

[jjk]

hmm, I don't know about that too. LL 1 sold the place to LL 2 within a year of buying the place (my tenancy just started when LL 1 sold it). So I guess only LL 0 (the very first owner) would know how old the ceiling fan really is....I reckon about 5 years. the condo is trying to go for en bloc, but I'm not sure how successful it is (I didn't keep track since I'm just a tenant).

[Saint]

I would put it down to natural wear and tear, just tell current LL that it never worked properly since you've been there.

[Brah]

If your contract is anything like mine there will be a deductible for which you are responsible for (usually the first $100 or $200 of the total cost). Like KSL suggests, read your contract.

If your LL is not a butthead they may be cool about the repairs or replacement - I've had 2 butthead LLs, 2 cool LLs.