Central Heating / A/C Not Working in Apartment Rental for 6 Weeks and Counting

We live in a fairly new (build in 2017) relatively premium apartment building in the Sydney CBD (paying $860/wk for 2b apartment). Our ducted A/C / heating seems to be interlinked with other apartments, and it stopped working 6 weeks ago for the entire floor including us (in the middle of winter of course).

This happened last winter (middle of July) and it took 2 months to repair. The repair itself was a building/strata responsibility last time, as well as this time.

Last year sucked. This year is even worse (we now have an infant, born in June). It stings even more since our rent went up $60/wk in April.

Does anyone know if we have any recourse here? Is this a reasonable case for compensation? If so, who would even provide such compensation (it's not the landlord's fault or within their capability to do anything about it).

Any advice is much appreciated!

Comments

  • +5

    Damn!!! $860pw and no heater!!!

    • -5

      they can't afford a 50 dollar heater from kmart, spent all their cash on rent

      in any case its been on for 4 years, and only had 6 weeks of down time,

      98%

      • +4

        You clearly didn’t read my post. 2 months down last winter, 6 weeks down this winter so far (probably will end up being 2 months). I‘very only lived here since September 2020, so that’s not working 17% of the time, not 2%.

        $50 Kmart heater is not the same as a ducted system. We of course had to buy a heater and paying the extra electricity for it (less efficient).

  • I live without these and use a heater and a portable air con. Find out who is the strata management and ask what gives? Speak to the other tenants also

  • +3

    Keep hassling your rental agent.

  • Wow $3700 a month in rent for a 2 bedroom apartment..

    • Inner city in a new building in Darling Square would do that for you. Though you would expect to get a working heater/AC unit for the price..

  • -3

    What did the REA say about it?

    • Nothing really, it’s a strata issue - they REA represents their client (landlord) not me, so they would just side with the landlord anyhow.

      • Good luck as you will need it if you have not spoken to the REA about it.

  • +7

    Ombudsman?
    Or should be at least giving you a reduction in rent to compensate.

  • +1

    Ask for a rent reduction. It isn't the landlord's fault but it isn't your fault either. The landlord is the only one who can hassle the strata anyway.

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