What to do if HVAC dies?

[Nolan Payne]

Hi BP! We just purchased our first rental property and the tenants just moved in a couple of days ago. The HVAC unit is original/very old and will likely stop working within the next year. However it still produces very cold air and works fine at the moment. We do have a home warranty which should help with repair or replacement but you know how those warranties go they try to do everything they can to not actually replace the entire unit and even if it needed replacement there would probably be a dollar limitation.

But my question is assuming it completely dies randomly... let’s say it would take two weeks to get a new unit ordered and installed. Obviously providing a property with heating and air is the landlords responsibility. So what would I do during those two weeks for my tenants? Pay for them to stay in a hotel which could really add up? Or go to Lowe’s and buy window units or portable units? 

Interested to hear your ideas and solutions in this scenario. Thanks again!

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Cory Nolan@Nolan Payne  Simple answer - if you were the renter, what would you want your landlord to do for you?

If you were in a rental during a hot summer and the HVAC decided to go on strike and your apartment was in the high 90s (or worse), and you leased a place with AC, I'd bet anything that you would want your landlord to make things right - and right now.  I know I would.

I agree with @Scott Mac.  Get them some window units ASAP.'

It's not that bad things are never supposed to happen.  It's what you do to make it right.