Bad Filter or Bad Unit

[tv]

My wife and I recently moved out of a condo rental, and the landlord claims that our failure to regularly change the air filter during our one year stay (from Aug 05 - Aug 06, changed it twice during this period) resulted in "unit freezing and thawing out, and during that process the water was leaking, and caused severe water damage" to the resident below us.

According to the tech’s invoice "Goodman Coil for Model # A24 Air Handler replacement is necessary due to rust and crack in the drain pan as a result of lack of maintenance."

Is it highly likely that not changing the air filter resulted in all of this damage to the unit? I know it’s difficult to know without seeing the unit, but if there is some reasonable doubt, I need to file a complaint with our Landlord-Tenant department to get this portion of our security deposit returned.

The landlord did give us three filters and we used two of them during our 12 month stay, but I’m just not sure if our failure to use the other filter caused all of the damage they claim. The A/C unit worked fine our entire stay.

I would appreciate any opinions or help anyone can provide.

Thanks,

TV

[HeyBob]

Not changing a filter is NOT going to cause the drain pan to crack and leak.........sounds more like your landlord is trying to pull one over on ya.

[Edited by HeyBob on 09-08-2006 at 10:30 AM]

[tv]

Bob, is or is not?

[HeyBob]

Originally posted by tv
Bob, is or is not?

I remember arguing with the typing teacher in 9th grade telling her I was NEVER going to need this crap.

NOT, NOT, NOT :D

Drain pans fail, dirty filters don't cause that failure.

[HeyBob]

The lack of maintenance is most likely the landlords fault, not getting it serviced, having the pan and drains cleaned.

Where does it say in your lease you have to maintain HVAC equipment on a residential rental?

[tv]

Lease says that tenant shall keep premises in a state of good repair, maint and cleanilness, including all equip, and applicances. Tenant shall report any defect. But I don't think this implies that I have to maintain the HVAC equipment, though he did give me three filters. The landlord maintains that my neglect caused the failed unit.

[HeyBob]

How old is the equipment?

[Dad]

There has been an abuse report for this thread

Seems it is a double post. Are we wrong?

http://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/admin/index.php

Please advise status or close this thread.

thx

[tv]

Yes, sorry didn't know that was the rule. I will close the tread.

Sincerly,

TV