Anyone with landlord-tenant law knowledge in New Mexico?
In a couple days we are slated to sign a lease on a house here in Aluquerque, but it has one weird clause in it: that we (the tenant) would be responsible to maintain and repair the refrigerator. Here’s the language:
“If applicable, non built-in appliances (i.e. refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc) are left at the residence as a convenience for the resident. Repairs, if necessary, will not be the responsibility of the owner after 30 days has lapsed from the start of tenancy. Further the owner is not liable for replacement of food if the refrigerator fails. If these terms are not acceptable, the resident must furnish their own appliances.”
First, is this legal? Is this normal for Albuquerque?
NM state law from
http://laws.uslandlord.com/laws/nmstatelaw.html“The owner shall maintain in good and safe working order and condition electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, if any, supplied or required to be supplied by him.”
Of course we have requested to have this paragraph taken out of the lease before we sign it next week, but have not gotten a response yet.
Thoughts?
Thanks for your help!
Mark