ohiolandlord
08-03-2008, 07:14 PM
Q: In the apartment complex I live in, we have washer and dryer hook ups. The apartments are about ten years old. The problem we are having is that the dryer is vented by a pvc pipe. This pipe is about eight feet long and 4 inches in diameter. We have had one dryer burned up and another new one went down last week. We called for a repairman and he determined that the vent pipe was blocked by lint which was causing the dry to over heat. The repairman said the pipe diameter was being restricted by a builded up of lint and needed cleaning. I would have taken the pipe down and cleaned it but it is attach to the building and in between two I-beams and the foundation of the building. We have lived in the apartment since October. The apartment manager are telling us that this is our problem we have to call a repair person to come in clean out the pipe. Is this our responsibility? Please advise.
A: If the landlord represented to you that this dryer vent was suitable to hook a dryer up to then I would think that you would have a good argument for the landlord to replace your dryer. The landlord may argue that you had a duty to clean out the pvc pipe from time to time to prevent the lint buildup. Ultimately, the landlord has the responsibility to supply you with a proper and working dryer vent.
A: If the landlord represented to you that this dryer vent was suitable to hook a dryer up to then I would think that you would have a good argument for the landlord to replace your dryer. The landlord may argue that you had a duty to clean out the pvc pipe from time to time to prevent the lint buildup. Ultimately, the landlord has the responsibility to supply you with a proper and working dryer vent.