Missing radiators in older Chicago bedrooms?

Question

Hi, all. I have just started looking at properties and seen several early 1900's places (condos, duplexes, all on South side, in largely original condition) that are heated by radiators, but that have no radiators in the bedrooms.  Anyone know if it is common to NOT have radiators in the bedrooms in properties from that era?  I know they can get hot, but not having any radiators in the bedrooms of a rental unit seems, to me, to encourage use of space heaters instead--which is something I would rather not have any tenant doing.  Trying to figure out if the no radiator thing is rare, or something I should come to expect in these old places--and, if the later, what do other investors do about it? Appreciate any advice!

My Nameish · Answer

thank you!!  this latest property did not have the hookups, so nice to know of this other option!

John Warren · Answer

@My Nameish normally there used to be one and it was removed at some point in the past. You can find used ones all over Chicago, and simply have a handy guy/hvac guy re-install one. If there is not hookup (unusual) you may want to consider adding an electric baseboard unit for the room. I have an all electric building that uses just baseboard heat. It is a bit more expensive for the tenants, but it is bullet proof from the land lords point of view. It is also far less expensive than running duct work.

My Nameish · Answer

Thanks for your reply, @John Clark!  The places I saw all had radiators, just not in the bedrooms--only in the LR, DR, Kitchen, Bath, etc.  If there is a radiator hook-up in the room, and the radiator was just removed at some point, re-installing one, hopefully, would not be a big deal.  But when there is no connection, I imagine installing sort of heat just to those rooms would be expensive...and space heaters are just not safe, I don't think.  So, I'm thinking any properties where I find this would all be a pass.

John Clark · Answer

I asked the Chicago building department if I could have tenants use space heaters to bring an apartment into heat ordinance compliance, and was told that I could not. If you have no radiators and can't use space heaters, you'll have to install radiators or figure out another radiant heating system -- I assume that you don't want to add duct work and reconfigure furnances/boilers.