Job Discussion Forums

[madeira]

sid, you were conned. The whole point of renting is that it's not your responsibility when stuff breaks down. It's a good thing the roof didn't fall in when you were there..

[nawlinsgurl]

Seriously Gordon that bites! I'm glad you are thinking of your kids and not going to let them sweat it out! We had our toliet start leaking from the back tank last month and our landlord (who we thought was cool) took her precious time to fix it and then charged us "half the repair price--as a favor" of 15,000 yen! I have never heard a toliet repair to cost 30,000 yen much less a renter having to pay for that. Oh while it was get fixed not replaced---those three days we had to wait---we went to the Lawsons quite frequently. Needless to say, I won't be going to the landlords BBQs anymore.

[Gordon]

We had to pay to get our toilet fixed too last week. The water kept running on it and our water bill was more than double what it used to be. Our landlord ignored us for a few months so we called the water company and they came and fixed it for 5,000 yen. Our prefecture is in a water shortage now so I figure we`re doing them a favour, but they still charged us. Oh well, better than 30,000!

[JimDunlop2]

We had an underground leak in a pipe last Spring. Water bill came and it was well over $1800. Needless to say, it had to be fixed QUICK. The landlord was on the hook for the repair job, we didn't have to pay a yen. As for the water bill, it was explained to us that we weren't liable for it, that it was an attention-getting measure more than anything to cause us to contact the water department when we saw the bill. They told us to wait 2 months and the bill would return to normal, and our water bill during the time we had the leak would be based on a pre-leak monthly average.

In the end it all worked out.

[J.]

but you seem to have a crap landlady, Gordon. Considering that she refuses to do anything, it might be time to pick up a general home maintenance and repair book if you get a chance. Often the water running in the toilet is nothing more than a snagged up or broken chain, which might be pennies to replace.

Oh and if you know any students or students' families that are electronic people they might be willing to install your air conditioners for free or very little. I got mine put in for a case of beer.

Have you checked out second-hand ones at gaijinpot?

[Gordon]

[JonnyB61]

Forgive me but this is a hypothetical question.

If one rents a car here in Japan and the car breaks down while the rentor is driving it, who is responsible for the repair of said rented car, the owner or the rentor?

Surely that's the same legal principal as the A/C unit in rented accommodation, although I'm no lawyer.

In England and Wales we have The Landlord and Tenant Act which clearly sets out the law regarding the landlord's responsibilities and the tenant's rights. Most western countries have their equivallents I'm sure. Is there something similar here? How could we find out the legal position? Any ideas?

[wabisabi365]

So... what if you rent the car, as is, and it gets a little hot. You think; "hey, a little air-con might be nice..." and you add a nifty little unit, at your cost, and without notifying the owner of the car. You decide you've had enough of the car, time to move on to a bigger better model, and no more need for the air-con you installed. It's your little gift, gratis, for the next renter.

So... the next renter is wiggling around, checking the leg-room, flicks on the air-con (which comes with the wheels... doesn't it...?) and alas, no bloody cool air coming out. "Hey, fix the aircon, will ya? It's bloody boilin' in 'ere!". The person who put in that faulty air-con is long gone, and the original owner is saying; "Hey man, that wasn't there when I rented out the bloody car, you take care of it."

Oi. Sorry. Enough of the car/apartment allegory. If the previous tenant put the air conditioning unit in, it's their responsibility to take it out. It costs money to get rid of it. Most apartment units in Japan are bereft of any creature comforts. If you do happen to get an air-con unit, gas cooker or refrigerator, there's a good chance the previous tenant left it there without telling the owner. Suddenly, it's your responsibilty. If it works, great. If not, yer outta luck. Air-con usually doesn't come with the apartment. I felt lucky to have one already in the living room when I moved into my new place. Well, until I found it didn't work. It cost more to get it fixed and get the gas pumped into it than if I had just purchased a new one on my own. What looks like a deal may actually come and kick you in the a*ss. Nothing's free. Argh.

Long post just to say that most apartments here don't come equipped with air conditioning. The last tenant ditched it. Now it's yours, good or bad. Some recycle shops have nice staff who may come and take a peek at your unit and re-fill the gas or fix what is broken for a small fee.

ws365

[Gordon]

The landlord was living in the house before us, so she can only blame herself for broken a/cs.
I do know what an apt does and doesn't come with. i had a perfectly good a/c in my last place which my current landlord told me to not bother installing... yeah so i can fix hers.

[J.]

but he and the kids are still hot now.

While you decide what to do, improvise an air conditioner by putting a wide bowl of ice in front of your fan (maybe on a low table) and sitting on the other side. Conbenies and supermarkets have big bags of cheap ice. At least you can eat in comfort.

While you're at it, might as well drink a lot of icy drinks.

Oh yeah, and my students have spoken about using ice pillows. Put one of those gel packs in the fridge and freeze it and roll it up in a towel to use as a pillow at night, or maybe put the towel between you and the pillow with the ice pack underneath. Cooling the head seems to cool you down all over.

[JonnyB61]