Are Portable Air Conditioners suitable for renters?

Home air conditioner rental

Written by Craig Boyle on 15 Mar 2021

With Australia’s largest city facing regular record-breaking temperatures, portable air conditioners for renters have become a hot topic. As Sydney sizzles under the sweltering heat, people are forced to endure sauna-like conditions in their homes. According to a Home Baked: Housing, Heat, and Health report by Better Renting, rental housing is less adapted to climate change. The study also found that renters are four times more likely to feel the summer heat compared to homeowners.

Many renters don’t have access to a fixed air conditioning system and installing one can be prohibitively expensive for a property you don’t own.

Why portable air conditioners are great for renters

  • Easy to use and install
  • Easy to move from room to room
  • The cost of air conditioning hire can be cheaper than installing an air conditioner
  • A wide range of models and types are available to suit you
  • You can keep your security deposit safe

Landlords are not obliged to provide air conditioners for renters

In most states, including NSW, landlords are not obligated to provide air conditioning. Tenants can request upgrades to beat the heat. But it often remains at their landlord’s discretion no matter how uncomfortable the weather. Just because a landlord has a property to rent doesn’t necessarily mean they will install air conditioning.

Even if you offer to cover part or all of the cost of installing a unit, landlords can still say “no”. They are perfectly within their rights when there is no mention in the rental contract. You can vote with your feet and look for another home. But in a tough Sydney rental environment, the option of moving is not always available.

portable air conditioners for renters
Despite hot temperatures, landlords not obligated to provide air conditioning

Landlords’ responsibility for air conditioning

While keeping a renter cool is not a landlord’s responsibility, they are obliged to fix an existing air conditioning unit if something goes wrong. Tenants have to request repairs in writing explaining what needs fixing. However, response times vary, and it is not uncommon for tenants to wait weeks for repairs.

If the matter is urgent such as a failure of electricity supply to the property, tenants can arrange for repairs and be reimbursed up to $1,000 by the landlord. Here again, there may be delays, and if the landlord doesn’t pay, you will have to apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) for an order that they do.

Portable air conditioners to the rescue

Whatever the circumstances with your rented property, it can be extremely unpleasant to go through hot summer days without some kind of cooling. Analysis of weather data reveals that Australian summers are getting longer. The country’s temperatures are rising faster than the global average.

You may be tempted to spend the whole day in the fridge when the mercury rises, but this is hardly a viable option. The fastest and simplest solution is home air conditioner hire. Renting a portable unit will provide instant relief from the scorching summer. Among the other benefits of portable air conditioners are:

Installation is easy – it literally takes an hour if you have access to a window or opening for the exhaust hose, providing you with an instant cooling solution.

Flexibility – the best part is the ease with which you can place portable air conditioners in inconspicuous spaces. You may also choose to move them between rooms if you can connect the exhaust hose to an opening.

Range of units – whether you need to cool down a small room or a larger, more open space, there is a wide range of units to suit your cooling needs. All you have to do is make comparisons between portable air conditioners to see which is the most appropriate for your situation.

Cheaper than fixed air conditioners – the initial price is lower, plus you can move a single portable air conditioner from your living room to your bedroom over night, further increasing your savings. operating a single portable unit in one room versus cooling your entire home should significantly reduce your electricity bill.

Portable air conditioner for renters

Cool down with Portable Air Conditioner Hire for Renters

You can’t install an air conditioning unit and take it with you when you move to your next property. However, you can do the next best thing, and that’s to rent a portable air conditioner for the summer months or just the hottest weeks of the year. It will save on the stress and headache of having to deal with maintenance and contacting the landlord if there’s a fault. What’s more, the cost of renting a portable air con unit is cost-effective, see how much air conditioner hire costs here.

If you’re looking for a cheaper way to cool down when summer temperatures become unbearable and don’t want to risk your security deposit, get in touch with the air conditioning experts at Precision Air Rental. We have a large range of the newest portable air conditioning units for hire. They are available in different sizes for both large and small spaces, and we offer fast delivery and installation.

To find out more and receive a free, no-obligation quote, call us now on 02 9119 5975.

Craig Boyle

Craig Boyle

Craig is the owner of Precision Air Rental and has been in the air conditioning industry for nearly 10 years. When your building is stifling hot in the middle of summer and you need help cooling it down, Craig and his team will come to the rescue!

Related

Precision Air Rental

Precision Air Rental

Precision Air Rental offers temporary air conditioning products that cater to residential, commercial and industrial properties, and events.
About us

Hire an air conditioner today

    Recent Articles