Submitted by BeneficialSurprise t3_zxprwn in washingtondc
Hi Reddit, the heat is out in my apartment. Landlord is aware, but I understand landlords are required to maintain heat at at least 65 overnight and 68 during the day. It is far below that in my apartment and I don’t know when it can be fixed. What can I do legally? Can I get a hotel? Anyone have experience w this?
They should provide you with some space heaters until it can be fixed.
Space heaters. Careful with frozen pipes
Read your lease
Also call office of tenant advocacy for language to use with your landlord and to know exactly what’s expected to be covered.
Dear landlord, per statue x, temperature is required to be …. As we discussed on date x, temp has been at x. It has now been x days with no remedy. Per statute x I am requesting you cover my lodging at hotel x at a rate of $xxx/day.
Space heater all the way.
If you’re struggling to stay warm and happen to own a tent, set up the tent inside and stay in the tent with blankets or a sleeping bag. You’ll be able to stay much warmer in a smaller enclosed space like a tent compared to the colder larger house.
As a landlord I had various experiences. One tenant did not mind it and I couldn't force him to accept space heaters. (super nice guy and military.)
Another time I moved tenants into an Airbnb.
I'd definitely demand space heaters. It's your right. Be nice and give him one evening though. If it's a company, be more demanding. They should have time resources to act fast.
If it's a corporate landlord, tell them they need to provide space heaters immediately, and if not, or they're assholes, demand a hotel room. If it's a private landlord be a little more understanding but also know they are also required by law to maintain heat.
While I agree reading your lease is always a good first step, if you’re renting from just some guy, the lease signed was probably just the first result from a “residential lease template” google search and it may contain illegal and unenforceable items, which is why you take that second step of calling the office of tenant advocacy
Ask for a space heater. I have a very small Amazon-brand space heater that is able to heat up my large studio.
Do you have renters insurance?
I had a similar issue that went on for weeks. I got fed up with the ongoing issue, and emailed the landlord saying if he didn’t remedy the issue I would contact the DC housing authority after 48 hours. The next morning he came over with space heaters for all bedrooms and the living room. It was a whole thing, but finally got resolved after going back and forth for about a month.
meditation_account t1_j21oba8 wrote
When the heat is out it’s an emergency and a repairman should come out to your place to fix it. Did your landlord call for emergency services to repair?