Do Landlords Have To Provide Heat In Rental Properties?

wear

With winter fast approaching one question that some renters may have is if landlords are required to provide heat in their rental properties? The answer to this question is yes.

Under the Implied Warranty of Habitability, landlords are required to “maintain the premises”. This generally means keeping the unit clean, dry and pest-free but it also means that the landlord must heat the property as well.

Laws Vary State to State

What’s interesting about the issue of landlords heating rental properties is that it varies from state to state. For example, in New York, landlords are only required to heat ensure that their rental properties are heated between October 31st and May 31st.

In California, landlords are expected to heat their rental properties all year long, especially in cities like San Francisco which can get cold even during the summer months.

Landlords are also required to provide heat to their rental properties even in Florida where the temperatures can dip into the 40’s at night and stay cool during the day.

Most Landlords Are Not Required to Provide Air Conditioning

Unlike the issue of heat, most landlords nationwide are not required to provide air conditioning for their rental properties unless they are located in cities that get very hot during the summer months like Dallas, TX and Phoenix Arizona.

A landlord has the responsibility to his or her tenants to maintain the property. This includes keeping the property clean, safe and habitable. The landlord must adhere to all building codes, perform necessary repairs, maintain common areas, keep all vital services, such as plumbing, electricity, and heat, in good working order, must provide proper trash receptacles and must supply running water.

Contact RPM Central Valley

To learn more about landlord-tenant issues in California, or to speak with us about our property management services, contact us today by calling (209) 572-2222 or click here to connect with us online.