My apartment in Kentucky is supposed to be provided with heat, paid for by the landlord, per my lease. For a month now the radiator rarely comes on. The average temperature is 60 and it dips as low as 56. Isn't this too extreme? I have complained and they tell me that the boiler is on, therefore they are supplying me with heat. They say the boiler is on but my radiator is never warm. Is there a minimum standard of heat in an apartment? Where do I go from here? I am afraid that if I just move out I won't get my security deposit back.

You need to check with your states laws, but there are minimum temperature requirements that landlords must meet (if they are providing the heat). Check with your state or an attorney to find out exactly what this temperature is. It will be lower at night, of course.

Hello tek:

The landlord is required to supply you with a "habitable" residence. 56 degrees ISN'T habitable.

Write them a letter. Tell them that if they don't make your apartment "habitable" within 5 days in terms of your heat, you will vacate and sue them for illegal eviction. Send your letter certified, return receipt requested.

excon

What constitutes habitable will be written in the housing codes. You need to go to the department of housing for your area. They will advise you what mimimum standards are. You would most likely need to have an inspection done to make sure the temps are insufficient. They may issue a citation to the landlord. From there you can threaten to move if they don't fix the problem. But first you need to document that a problem exists.