Inadequate Heating (Oakland: renters, house, tenants)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ohhwanderlust

I'm not an attorney, but I'm pretty sure that as a landlord, he is required to ensure that there is heat, and that it works.

Until then, try covering the inside of your windows with bubble wrap. It sounds crazy, but it helps trap the heat inside. A lot of New Zealanders do this, as houses there are notoriously cold otherwise.

What's with Kiwi houses? Don't they have adequate heating? Are there double-paned windows Down Under? Insulation for walls & ceiling? Home Depot? (Joke)

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by antinimby

You already signed a lease, why are you worried about getting kicked out?

Do not fear the landlord. He couldn't evict you based on you telling him there isn't adequate heating. The judge would laugh at him if it ever came to that point.

Before going to the landlord, it may be useful to talk to other tenants about their experiences in this matter. Do they also have the same wimpy heaters, and just deal with it, or did they get upgrades when requested? Or is this just an isolated problem in the one apartment nobody wants cuz it's so cold?

[cazelais]

Try heavy 100 per cent curtains on the windows. Home boots and wool caps help. Oh, and space heaters. If you get sun open the curtains. If you ever find who'll curtains get them. Double curtain rods are even better. A long cardigan in wool is terrific indoors too. Fingerless gloves. I live in Montreal and the temps are in an arctic freeze.

I live on the ground floor and there is no heat below me. I use these little tricks but some extreme days/nights have me dreaming of California. oh
last tip, wool rugs though costly really help too.

[Maceart]

It literally doesn't get below 30F in Oakland (and that's like 2 days of the year). Wear sweaters, plug in some space heaters and get an electric blanket.

Be glad you even have wall heating units in the apartment.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by cazelais

Try heavy 100 per cent curtains on the windows. Home boots and wool caps help. Oh, and space heaters. If you get sun open the curtains. If you ever find who'll curtains get them. Double curtain rods are even better. A long cardigan in wool is terrific indoors too. Fingerless gloves. I live in Montreal and the temps are in an arctic freeze.

I live on the ground floor and there is no heat below me. I use these little tricks but some extreme days/nights have me dreaming of California. oh
last tip, wool rugs though costly really help too.

Is it normal in the Bay Area for tenants to jump through all kinds of hoops to enable landlords to avoid meeting their obligations?

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Is it normal in the Bay Area for tenants to jump through all kinds of hoops to enable landlords to avoid meeting their obligations?

Simple answer: Yes. It's a veritable slumlord paradise!

[ServoMiff]

My apartment I just moved into in the city had a broken gas wall heater. It took us contacting the landlord 3 times to get them to replace it. Even then, the heater was only in the bedroom - but once I complained enough, they came out and put in a new one. We supplement that with a rotating space heater (Lasko brand, cost under $80), and we are pleased.

I also complained about the old gas stove, because the burners were more than warm to the touch without the gas actually being on. Not only are they going to replace the stove, but they're putting in new electric outlets for us as well.

If you just signed a lease and are dealing with a property management company, then be the squeaky wheel.

Why in the world would you get kicked out when you're under a contract? Don't be a wuss, stand up for yourself and get what is a basic expectation when you move into a new place - a comfortable living environment.

[jk88cal]

Based on OP's description, the heater is not broken. It is an old house and the heating is most likely appropriate at the time of installation.

Note the laws states:
Heating facilities that conformed with applicable law at the time of installation, maintained in good working order.

Source is from California legislature website. See #4: Law section.

Note that some tenant website simply states "adequate heating". That is way too vague and not what the law says.

[ServoMiff]

Originally Posted by jk88cal

Based on OP's description, the heater is not broken. It is an old house and the heating is most likely appropriate at the time of installation.

Note the laws states:
Heating facilities that conformed with applicable law at the time of installation, maintained in good working order.

Source is from California legislature website. See #4: Law section.

Note that some tenant website simply states "adequate heating". That is way too vague and not what the law says.

You're assuming that an old heater is still providing the same level of heat as it did at installation, and that may not be the case.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ServoMiff

You're assuming that an old heater is still providing the same level of heat as it did at installation, and that may not be the case.

Exactly. Why would a heater that was adequate when installed no longer be adequate for the same amt. of square footage, unless it's just an old heater that's nearing the end of its life-span? Saying, "well, it was adequate when installed" makes no sense. The landlord is still required to provide adequate heat.