Landlords have a duty to provide tenants with a permanent source of heat. If you have been left without heat for an extended period of time you may have grounds to take legal action.
Our attorneys fight for the rights of San Francisco tenants. You should be comfortable in your own home. Call us today to discuss your options.
over
years of experience in representing tenants.
If your landlord fails to provide you with a permanent heat source – or adequate heat, they are violating the law. Landlords who fail to provide heat can be sued, fined by the city, or face legal action.
Section 701 of the San Francisco Housing Code requires landlords to provide a heat source capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68 degrees from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
If you don’t have sufficient heat it is important to inform your landlord in writing. Even if your landlord already knows, inform them in writing. This ensures you have evidence that you have put your landlord on notice.
If your landlord fails to fix the problem consider contacting the Department of Building Inspection (DBI). DBI will schedule a date for an inspection. If the inspector determines that something is not up to code, they will issue a Notice of Violation to your landlord.
If you don’t have heat you may have grounds to take legal action. What approach is best depends on the situation. One option is to file a petition with the Rent Board for a Decrease in Services, asking the Rent Board to decrease your rent. However depending on the circumstances you may have grounds for a lawsuit, in which case a Rent Board petition may not be the best approach.
Before taking any action be sure to talk to a qualified tenant’s rights lawyer about your options.
For more information or to discuss your legal situation, call us today at (415) 649-6203 for a phone consultation or submit an inquiry below. Please note our firm can only assist tenants residing in San Francisco, Oakland & Berkeley.