Must a Landlord Provide Heating in California?

California law provides a list of the minimum standards for a sandstone home or apartment. One part of habitable homes or flats is heating facilities in good operating order. In a rental home, rooms like bedrooms, the living room and kitchen need heat. Bathrooms, closets, hallways and storage rooms can remain unheated. County and city building and housing codes include additional conditions.

Heating in San Francisco

San Francisco’s local housing codes transcend the state’s laws. At San Francisco, heating facilities must maintain a room temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit measured by a thermometer put three feet above the ground, halfway between the heater and the farthest wall. The code needs at least 13 hours of heat per day. Specifically, the rental unit must be heated in the early hours between 5 and 11. Heat is also necessary from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.. This degree of heating assumes an external temperature of 35 degrees F.

Heater Repairs

If the heating system fails to work, the landlord usually produces the repairs. However, if the tenant or the tenant’s guests damaged the heating system, the renter pays the repair invoice. State law requires that heating facilities conform to the applicable law when installed at the rental home or apartment.

Heating System Stops Working

If the heating system stops working, notify the landlord immediately with a phone call or personal visit. Follow up with a letter and Record a copy of the letter. Supply the landlord a decent period of time to repair the problem. If the landlord will not fix the key source of heat, then contact the housing inspector for assistance.

Tenant Requirements

Tenants are expected to correctly utilize and operate the heating fittings. They’re also expected to heat the home or apartment appropriately. For instance, tenants need to use the supplied heating system instead of open the door on the kitchen stove to heat the home. The heating system provided by the landlord may range from an electric wall heater into a gas furnace. The tenant usually pays for electricity or fuel to run the heating system.

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