Two months ago I moved into an apartment style condominium. The units have baseboard heat and a common boiler. Since I have been here, the heat has gone out 5 or 6 times. It is usually back on in about 24 hours. I live in a northern state and it's been cold enough to need heat pretty much since I've been here. I called the owner of the condo the first time it went out because I wasn't sure what the problem was, but now I see this is a regular occurance and I assume he has some knowledge of the situation. I would like to start planning a course of action. Should I call him each time the heat goes out? Should I call the city? Should I ignore the problem? I have purchased a space heater to get me by when the heat is out. And I use the electric oven to heat other parts of the apartment. Anyway..any advice?
2007-12-04 22:58:56 · 4 answers · asked by wittygee 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Your first question, about withholding rent, is no, you can not legally do so without a court order. You have to sue him for that.
2007-12-05 03:48:14 · answer #1 · answered by Landlord 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The owner of a condominium unit may not be the owner of the condominium. The condominium will have control of the heating system. When the power goes out in a storm you may not have any heat. I think there needs to be an agreement made to avoid problems in the spring when tenants can be removed. Condominium real estate is designed for partial ownership of real property.
2007-12-04 23:11:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should certainly contact the owner of the condominium unit, but don't expect HIM to pay for the cost of the repairs. Since this is a common boiler, the condo association is responsible for that maintenance out of the condo monthly association dues payments.
The owner cannot authorize this repair on his own, since the condo board has to handle it for all owners on a fair basis.
I'd guess the condo board is where the delay is occurring.
2007-12-04 23:32:53 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to document every time the heat goes off, need the date the out side temp etc, make a paper trial, if the landlord is not help full a call to the city may be in order next time it goes off
2007-12-05 00:44:15 · answer #4 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋