Is there a legal heat requirement for rentals? (Baltimore, California: apartment, house)

[emmiesix]

Hi everyone,

Me again, the new kid from Texas. Go ahead an point and laugh, but I am FREEZING at night (ok, and during the day) here. I have never lived in a 100-year old house before, nor have I ever used a radiator. I know how they work, but it's pretty clear they are not turned on yet.

Is there a legal time or temperature when the landlord has to turn them on? I checked some city websites about rental rules and didn't find anything.

Don't worry, I'm already wearing 2 layers of sweats and socks and sweatshirt... (Seriously, even right now as I work from home!). Between the night temps and being on the ground floor with lots of tree cover, this house is coooooold.

[davecj]

Have you asked the landlord to turn them on?

[Flamingo13]

It's only September!

[cdmoore125]

It's likely that the heat isn't on...in September. A lot of apartment buildings can only do heat or AC. If you have an old house with a radiator and you don't control the heat then the person isn't likely there at night when it is cooler.

I've gotta say though, if you are cold now, wait until February. I usually don't turn on my heat until after Thanksgiving.

[MidValleyDad]

If you really are cold get a little portable heater. As long as you follow the directions and use common sense they are safe. But as others have said this isn't cold. It is just getting nice and brisk.

Also give your body time to adjust what seems cold now after a hot summer will seem warm and 'shorts and tank top weather' in March!

[MobileVisitor09]

Originally Posted by emmiesix

Hi everyone,

Me again, the new kid from Texas. Go ahead an point and laugh, but I am FREEZING at night (ok, and during the day) here. I have never lived in a 100-year old house before, nor have I ever used a radiator. I know how they work, but it's pretty clear they are not turned on yet.

Is there a legal time or temperature when the landlord has to turn them on? I checked some city websites about rental rules and didn't find anything.

Don't worry, I'm already wearing 2 layers of sweats and socks and sweatshirt... (Seriously, even right now as I work from home!). Between the night temps and being on the ground floor with lots of tree cover, this house is coooooold.

Yes, I believe the the time frame is sometime in October. Also is dependent on the inside/outside temperatures at well, especially at night.

I know of these regulations, as I had a 'wonderful' landlord a few years back who told me to 'deal with it' when our heat went out in 0 degree weather for several days... Threw some Maryland code back at him and he changed his tune.

I did a quick Google search and couldn't find the exact temperature but call the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, or 311, they should be able to direct you to the right department/agency to confirm.

[emmiesix]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

It's only September!

haha, I know. But if you spend ten years where a 10-day stretch of 90% humidity and over-100s temps are normal, 70 feels cold!!

Thanks for the info guys, I will probably just call 311 on Monday.

[hiker16]

"a 10-day stretch of 90% humidity and over-100s temps are normal, 70 feels cold!!"

you weren't here (in MD) this summer, were you? A 70F day or two would've been nice....


/New England native.
//still consideres anything south of Philly "down south".

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by emmiesix

Hi everyone,

Me again, the new kid from Texas. Go ahead an point and laugh, but I am FREEZING at night (ok, and during the day) here. I have never lived in a 100-year old house before, nor have I ever used a radiator. I know how they work, but it's pretty clear they are not turned on yet.

Is there a legal time or temperature when the landlord has to turn them on? I checked some city websites about rental rules and didn't find anything.

Don't worry, I'm already wearing 2 layers of sweats and socks and sweatshirt... (Seriously, even right now as I work from home!). Between the night temps and being on the ground floor with lots of tree cover, this house is coooooold.

Give it a year and you will think this current temp is lovely.

To answer your question, if your heat is controlled by the landlord, then Oct. 1st. is the usual legal date it must be turned on.

If you are really cold, get a portable ceramic heater. They are fairly cheap, and even though they seem like they are not doing much in a few hours your entire room will feel too hot.

But yeah, I am laughing. I mean, I did move from California to Minneapolis and went without heat or air conditioning for almost five years straight. I lived.

Originally Posted by hiker16

"a 10-day stretch of 90% humidity and over-100s temps are normal, 70 feels cold!!"

you weren't here (in MD) this summer, were you? A 70F day or two would've been nice....


/New England native.
//still consideres anything south of Philly "down south".

Yeah, the summer was brutal, but could have been worse. I spent three years in Maine and one in Boston before moving to Maryland. I miss New England weather.