If you rent your home, you probably don't think much about things like the heating and air conditioning system, since they are probably considered your landlord's responsibility. This means that even if you hear weird noises or notice other minor problems with the HVAC system, you might not pay it much attention. However, it is important to let your landlord know about any heating and air conditioning problems as soon as you notice them, even if they do not seem serious. These are the main reasons why.

1. Avoid Causing Damage to the Unit

First of all, you should know that ignoring problems with an HVAC unit can cause the damage to get worse. For example, a unit that is in need of coolant should not be operated without it. If the unit is operated without the coolant that it needs, then the compressor could be damaged, or the unit could "freeze up." If added repairs are caused by you failing to tell your landlord about the problem, there is always the chance that you could be held responsible for the additional damage.

2. Prevent the Unit from Shutting Off at the Wrong Time

Not letting your landlord know about potential problems with the HVAC unit can be bad for you and your family as well. The unit could go out in the middle of the night, when it is difficult to have someone over to fix it. By mentioning issues in the beginning, you can help ensure that it is repaired before it causes you and your family to be stuck without heat or air conditioning.

3. Maintain a Good Relationship With Your Landlord

Landlords like to know that they have tenants in their units who want to take good care of the property. By failing to let your landlord know about major problems with the HVAC system or any part of the home, you are showing your landlord that you don't want to maintain a good relationship with him or her. If you always call to let your landlord know about the condition of his or her home, however, you are letting him or her know that the unit is safe with you in it.

If you rent, you might ignore a lot of home maintenance things that you wouldn't ignore if you owned your home. However, your HVAC system is not something that you should ignore. Instead, tell your landlord as soon as you notice something is amiss with the unit, and you'll be glad that you did in the long run because you can be prepared for a new air conditioner installation or repair.