All Forum Posts by: Victor N.

This is incredibly frustrating!!! After reading your post and went to CL and tried to see if someone is trying to rent one of places. I dont have any active listing but you never know.

I would respond to the ad, records any conversation you have over the phone and try to set up a showing. If they are stupid to show up hoping to collect the deposit dont forget to take their pic with your phone. just remove the flash and put the camera on mute.

Hopefully you can catch these low life!!!

@Piotr Salanowski ,

Thanks for the tip. Im in CT too. This tenant is single with no kids. She's also a teacher making decent wages. Unfortunately, she will not qualify for energy assistance.

wow, Im learning so much about this issue! thanks everyone...

@Roy N. , how does your building monitoring system works? is it based on hardware or just software that allows you to remotely access/ control the hvac?

@Stephen S. and @Matthew Paul thanks for heads up and tip.

I was thinking about switching the t-stat to one of the old style ones. I have an apt where the lowest t-stat temp is 55 degrees. I never thought about it until George mentioned it. At the same time, I like the idea of a beautiful programmable t-stat.

The heat is supplied by a brand new furnace. There was no emergency shut off switch before but i asked the hvac contractor to install one and he did ( located inside the apt). The apt is on the 2nd floor and the furnace is in the attic.

I will talk to the heating contractor about setting up a floor temp ( might involve installing a 2nd t-stat as a couple people suggested). I will also talk to an electrician to connect the furnace shuttoff and the bath light! what a great idea! lol

@Matthew Paul , using a 2nd t-stat is a clever idea but i like George's idea of using the old style t-stat that do not go below 55.

@George Paiva and @Steve Babiak , I know that the heat is not on because I asked her if she had turned it on and she said no. The reason she gave me is that she didnt want to heat the apt since she wasnt there all the time. We communicate mostly via text msg. Also, she couldnt be home for the cable man to set her cable and internet and she asked me to be there for her.

As I mentioned before, she is a great tenant. She is definitely not trying to knowingly cause damages to the apt, she just wants to save some money but doesnt understand the consequences of not having heat in the apt.

@Lynn McGeein

this is exactly what Im trying to avoid. Even though in my case, Im sure I will recoup some of the money because she is a teacher. But, when you combine all the potential lost income and damages, I will definitely be the losing party since there's a cap on small claims.

@Joel Owens ,

You read my mind! Im trying to avoid being the bad guy here, while still protecting my investment.

The insurance company requirement is a great tip. I also know from experience that if you have damages from frozen pipes the insurance co. will try to 1) verify that the property was occupied and 2) verify that the heat was turned on ( for example they could request a copy of the heating bill). Thanks for the tip!

@Collen F. & @Michaela Graham,

Great suggestions!!! Unfortunately for me I do not have the minimum temperature clause in my lease. All future leases will definitely have it!

The cure or leave notice is a great idea and Im considering it. Hopefully that's enough to resolve the issue. Im also trying to be very careful and diplomatic because she is otherwise a dream tenant ( except for issue off course).

@Bill Gulley,

Yes, I informed her of her responsibilities and liabilities. By the way, she doesnt turn on the heat then turn it off: she has never turned it on. she uses a small table top electric heater when she's home.

Your suggestion is my "option 1" which Im afraid will be too costly for both of us.

@Matt M,

The thermostat is in her apartment and only controls the heat in that apartment. And the gas bill is in her name. I thought about the lock but I think that it will be illegal to lock/ restrict her access to the thermostat since she's the one paying for the gas bill. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I have a new tenant who recently moved in the 2nd floor apartment ( 2BR, 1BA) of a 2 unit building. Her unit was completely remodeled. Brand new kitchen appliances, windows, baths, floors, gas water heater, gas furnace etc. She is a teacher and also super busy with her church so she's barely home. She lives alone. She keeps the apt in an immaculate condition. All this to say that I like her as a tenant and we get along great!

My only problem is that she refuses to turn on the heat even though its now winter and we are in the northeast. I have explained to her on several occasions the potential problems if she does not turn on the heat ( frozen pipes, etc...). When I replaced the furnace a couple of months ago, I also installed a new 7 day programmable thermostat. Im currently renovating the 1st fl apt and turned on the heat.

The water heater and furnace both use gas and she already has the gas bill in her name. I guess she's trying to keep her gas bill at the minimum.

Is there anything I can do to force her to turn on the heat? Is there any state statute dealing with this issue? I did a quick search and all I found was issues with landlords not turning on the heat or keeping it too low when its included in the rent.

The way I see it, I have 2 options: 1) inform her of her responsibility to turn on the heat or be liable for any damages caused by the cold weather or 2) turn on the heat myself. Im leaning towards option 2 because option 1 will be too costly if the pipes freeze, heat exchanger of the furnace crack, etc and there's no guaranty she will pay for the repairs.

What do you think? Have any of you run into this problem? If so, what did you do? Thanks!