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View Full Version : Tenant rights for adequate heat


echolake
Apr 2, 2008, 05:33 PM
I moved to a seven unit building last December. The heat has been off more than a dozen times since then. The landlord cites "difficulty with adequate delivery of oil" as the problem. As of yesterday, the heat has been completely turned off. We still have hot water, so I believe he's just shut down heat for the season. What are the laws in PA for when heat is required(seasonally)?? It's pretty cold in here.

N0help4u
Apr 2, 2008, 05:38 PM
The season is up for utility companies not being allowed to shut you off.
With the problem being your landlord I am not sure what you can do but
I know most places where the landlord controls the heat to the building they do tend to keep it very low.

Marriedguy
Apr 2, 2008, 05:45 PM
It varies for state to state.. here is a link that may help..

How Much Heat Does My Landlord Have to Provide? (http://www.ptla.org/heat.htm)

I'm feeling lazy today.

Marriedguy
Apr 2, 2008, 06:33 PM
@ N0help4u I know the law is not really practical but years ago slumlords where letting old ladies freeze to death. Then the law started turning in the tenants favor, no heat no rent.

Get space heaters and then heat it to your liking. When the super sets the heat to a good level you start paying minus those electrical charges.

If you live in a place where electric is included this is no problem. Trust me I'm going to make for lost heat in the summer... what do you mean I can't leave the AC on when I'm not home?

N0help4u
Apr 2, 2008, 06:37 PM
Yep that is what I always think -buy heaters- but then the landlord can complain if he is paying the electric and the bill gets way up there.