heating - Landlord Forum thread

heating by kelly (new mexico) on February 5, 2012 @12:39

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Hi There.

I have a tennant who said her gas furnace isnt working. I sent someone over and he said a little part is broken. Because the floor furnace is from the 50s the part cannot be bought...they dont make them anymore. He wants me to but in a wall furnace. It will destroy the look of this very cute unit. Plus the venting will put a new penetration in my brand new roof.
My last handyman said they pull out old gas furnaces all the time and bring them to the dump....So i have an add on craigslist for one.
I told my tenant that I will put in mobile oil filled heaters.(I already bought her one.) Although for more I do need to update the electric panel...I am willing and happy to do this. She said this works fine but she would like a break on her very much reduced rent. Does she have the right for this.....I thought as a landlord I just need to supply comparable heating. The oil filled heaters are only 15c an hour...It works out cheaper for her.
I dont want her leaving on grounds that she is not getting exactly what she rented.
Please let me know your thoughts

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Re: heating by Katiekate (New York) on February 5, 2012 @12:52	[ Reply ]

As long as you are providing enough heat for her unit, and you are working to get the furnace issue resolved as fast as possible...then she has nothing that she is 'lacking' that you needed to make up for. If she is only able to heat one room ... then you should give her a break based on the number of rooms she cannot use. If she is so cold she must seek another place to sleep and shower...then you should give her the daily cost of her rent back until she can return to the unit. Otherwise.. I don't see her "lacking" anything while the work is happening.

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Re: heating by Jake on February 5, 2012 @14:03	[ Reply ]

"I dont want her leaving on grounds that she is not getting exactly what she rented." This is exactly the position your tenant is on. Your heating unit is over 50 years old. Buy a new one or cut the rent. The rent you are collecting is supposed to pay for something. Proper heat is one of them. Do you have portable heaters in your home?

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Re: heating by Fred (MN) on February 5, 2012 @15:56	[ Reply ]

First and foremost you have to provide sufficient heating. It sounds like you've done that. Albeit temporary, you're doiung what is necessary as quickly as possible. That being said, I don't think you should reduce rent. Is it inconvenient? Yes, of course, but it's a house, and in a house things break, and THAT is what she rented. Are you going to reduce rent if the drain overflows, if the fridge quits, if the ceiling fans is on the outs... get the picture? If you set precedence, the tenants will expect rent reduction if a light bulb burns out, so my advice is don't go there. There are other tenants out there - millions of them - so if they leave, they leave.

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Re: heating by Bryan (Ia) on February 5, 2012 @16:17	[ Reply ]

Have you considered contacting a different HVAC company and getting a second and/or third opinion as to repairs and what is available to replace the unit?

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Re: heating by Shell (NM) on February 5, 2012 @20:42	[ Reply ]

there are gas heaters that do not need to be vented through the roof. My plumber himself uses them in southern New Mexico. Cost about 300-400 for a unit that mounts to the wall and heats about 1000 square feet. You just need a fresh air source to provide ventilation, preferably from the floor. I bought one from a place in Socorro, but I'm sure someone like Samon's in Albuquerque would carry one. They are not appropriate for trailers...as far as I know.