Ok, so my landlord has the old hot water heaters that run along the floor as backup in my house. Soon we will be using a kerosene space heater as the main heating source, but it plugs in where our electricity usage comes from. We were told heat was included in the rent when we moved in. My main question is if that kerosene heater runs off our electricity, but heat is supposed to be included in the rent, am I right to ask for a reduction in the rent while that heater is being used? I thought heat included meant every expense that goes w/ heating the house, not just the cost of the fuel for the heater.
2007-10-12 07:19:59 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Just to add something, we had no choice whether to use the kerosene heater. Right now we're waiting for it to be hooked up to the fuel source so we CAN use it. In fact our landlord said he would rather we DON'T use the hot water heater at all as it costs him more money. Also, and I know this won't help my cause, but there is no lease.
2007-10-12 07:33:32 · update #1
Here's the legal answer. In most jurisdictions, "heat" in a real estate rental means reasonable amounts of heat. That is usually defined as enough heat to maintain a room temperature at a specific level (often, 65 degrees, but it varies by state and locality).
If you are not comfortable with the provided heat level, and lots of people would not be, then it is up to you to pay for anything extra, assuming that the amount of heat that is provided meets the local codes. The landlord is not required to provide unlimited amounts of heat.
Bottom line: it appears that your lease provides for the owner to pay for kerosene. He should pay for enough to keep your home at a temperature that meets your local ordinances. Anything beyond that is at your own expense.
I know this is not the answer you were hoping for, but you might as well hear the truth. Good luck!!
2007-10-12 07:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
my guess is that if the kerosene heater plugs into an electric outlet, the only reason can be to provide an electic ignition or run a thermostat control which turns it on or off or more likely runs a small fan to help circulate the heat. either of these will require very little electricity ... the expensive part of electric heat is generating the heat itself ... which the kerosene is doing in this case. my guess it that we are talking an absolute maximum of $5 for electricity per month even if you run the heater all day, every day. If you landlord is paying for the kerosene (which would be expected if the lease states that heat is included in the rent) then I would not fight over the small amount of electricity that you will have to chip in. it would be difficult to measure the amount of electricity you are using just for the heater, so this would make it harder to ask the landlord to compensate you for this, other than just as for a (tiny) lump sum off your rent. my dealings with landlords always focuses on the big things ... fighting for everything is usually not worth it.
as a side note, you might also find that the old hot water heaters use electricity as well ... the water itself is probably heated with oil or gas, but there is probably a small electric pump somewhere in the system to move the water though the pipes. again, the main cost of the heat will be the fuel used to produce the heat with the cost of the electricity being used to move it around very small in comparison.
oh, and this all hangs on whether you or the landlord provided the kerosene heater ... if he/she provided the hot water heat and you decided you needed a kerosense heater, then you are on your own as to how to pay for both the kerosene as well as electricity. the landlord can chose a heat source which will make your place liveable, but he/she does not have to make it as warm as you might like it to claim "heat included in rent"
2007-10-12 07:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Nope, no reduction. The included heat is the hot water heaters. Feel free to use those all you want since they are included with rent but if you choose to run a kerosene heater that uses electricity, that's on your dime, not his. You don't get to pick and choose which heating method you want. He is providing hot water heaters for free, if those aren't good enough for you, any upgrade you choose to make will come out of your pocket.
2007-10-12 07:23:57 · answer #3 · answered by suspendedagain300 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Use the hotwater heaters. That's what the LL is paying for and your lease requires him to do so.
Do NOT use kerosene heaters in an unventilated space! They are very dangerous.
2007-10-12 08:07:41 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HI,
You sound tighter than bark on a tree. The answer is NO you don't get to nickle and dime your Landlord. If the space heater you talk about is a direct vent type, then you'll have one of the most efficient heaters on the market. If it is the correct size for the space intended, then you'll be able to heat yourself right out the space. Don't sound so cheap, and don't act so ungrateful. I hope you don't treat your dates, or significant other so cheaply!
2007-10-12 08:46:38 · answer #5 · answered by skiingstowe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If it's a plug in type kero heater, it couldn't possibly use more than a couple of dollars a week in electricity. Quit complaining and just pay for it. Your getting the fuel for free.
2007-10-12 07:25:28 · answer #6 · answered by golden rider 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That's a good point. I would say yes, you should pay less for rent because it costs a lot to make heat from electric. Talk to your landlord and see if you can come to an agreement.
2007-10-12 07:24:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
If you are buying the heater, then no. I think that they meant the provided heat.
2007-10-12 07:23:16 · answer #8 · answered by lovepink317537 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes, you shouldn't have to pay for the electricity usage. He should give you a discount.
2007-10-12 07:23:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
It sounds like you have a compelling argument. I'd definitely give it a try!
2007-10-12 07:23:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋