Where does the law stand on the issue of renter's rights and open windows?

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november

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I live in a second floor walk-up in Florida with one window. The AC works fine, but the building is musty and I need fresh air. So I open the window from time to time, and this angers the landlord to no end. I realize that, in Florida, if I were blasting the AC with an open window it could create condensation and subsequent mold, but I just turn off the AC, open my door and window to create something resembling a draft to empty out the stale smell that develops when NO ONE ever allows fresh air into an airtight structure. Anyway, my question is, am I entitled to open my window? There's nothing in the lease about it, though there is a clause that states subsequent notices issued by the landlord will have the effect of contractual clauses (is this practice legit? --Seems like potential for illegal abuse). Furthermore, the building is new... from what I understand regarding fire code, don't rooms have to have windows which open to the outside? My landlord has threatened to bolt the window shut.

So if anyone is familiar with issues such as this, please let me know whatever relevant info you can direct my way. Also, are there any AC mechanics who might know the possible dangers of open windows? I'd like to know if the landlord's complaint is wholly valid.

And one last thing, if I were to live in a college dormitory, would it make a difference?
 
Of course you can open the window, and no the landlord can't bolt it shut. To add, I've never heard of running the AC with a window open to cause mold, that's ridiculous. Obviously it's not a smart thing to do because doing so is throwing money out the window when it comes to the power bill, but if you were to do it anyway it wouldn't cause damage to the building's structure just because it's running with an open window.

If you're living in a dorm, your 'landlord' is the school. RA's are usually other students and are there to oversee and resolve issues, and cannot tell you that your window cannot be open, period.
 
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