Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

bodhipooh t1_isj0phn wrote

INFO: are you new to renting?

No landlord or building will ever take responsibility for swapping out your water filter. That’s something that’s the tenant responsibility. Just wait until you hear about lightbulbs. Also, not sure why you think a property manager would accept responsibility for a broadband issue. Property managers could (and should) initiate a support call with the telco providing the broadband service to the building, but that’s about it. No property manager is keeping network engineers on staff.

2

the_running_stache t1_isk1exu wrote

My landlord/building management changes the water filter regularly. I just need to put in a maintenance request and it is taken care of. As per the lease, I believe I am entitled to get it replaced monthly, but I usually wait until the “change water filter” indicator is lit.

They also replace light bulbs inside the apartment unit, if I request. (For light bulbs in the lamps provided by them; my table lamps are my responsibility, but if I request, they wouldn’t mind, I guess.)

I agree that Internet is not something that they will take full responsibility of. They will at most just make a phone call since it seems they provide it as a free service (included utilities) in this particular building. Not subletting and not allowing AirBnB guests are common clauses; so OP will see that almost everywhere.

5

bodhipooh t1_iskcokz wrote

Yeah, my building offers the same service FOR A FEE. They will come and swap a lightbulb, or the water filter in your fridge, and any number of things, but each one comes with a fee, as it should. Those are normal wear and tear items for which each person is and should be responsible.

1

objectimpermanence t1_iskofjg wrote

I don’t think there’s a hard and fast rule.

I’ve lived in buildings that would do free replacements of water filters, air filters, and even light bulbs (if they were in fixtures that are hard to reach without a ladder or required an unusual bulb).

My current landlord mails me a package of filters every 6 months and I just swap them out myself.

3

the_running_stache t1_islruzl wrote

I agree it is no hard-and-fast rule. But the user above my comment saying, “No landlord or building will ever take responsibility for swapping out your water filter” is just plain wrong. Some do. Some don’t.

2

the_running_stache t1_islrjln wrote

Mine is free. Included in the rent. Why should I pay for the light bulb burning out?

Think about it: assume the previous tenant used the light bulb a lot and moved out. I move in and the very next day, assume, the light bulb goes out. Am I responsible for its “heavy use” and wear and tear? I used it for just one day… Whereas the previous tenant probably used it for more than a full year and still didn’t have to replace it. Likewise with the water filter. Perhaps the building is responsible for changing all these when a new tenant moves in. But will any building replace a working light bulb just because a new tenant is moving in? What about when my lease gets renewed?

Again, I am not saying all buildings need to do this for free. For that matter, many buildings will not even address pest issues and such.

But mine does. And the user above me said that no building does it (for free) and I wanted to point out that my building in JC does it for free. The user above me was asking this as if this is a never-heard-of service and I wanted to say that it is otherwise. For that matter, my not-so-luxury former building in Manhattan also offered water filter and light bulb replacement for free.

Edit: oh, the user above my comment was you, anyways; just saw that

2