Is it legal to prohibit use of heater in a rented room?
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Is it legal to prohibit use of heater in a rented room?
My potential landlord prohibits use of electric heater in rooms (utilities included). Central heating for the entire apartment is controlled by the landlord. In the lease, it says, it’s tenant’s responsibility to request adjustments to the heat. But says the landlord makes the decision regarding the temperature. He said it’s to keep the bill low and to keep the place safe because some people make improper use of heaters. I offered to pay extra for utilities but he said no because he doesn’t have meter for each room. Also, each room is equipped with a small refrigerator but need permission to use your own.
Asked on November 18, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Tennessee
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Your question does not deal with what is legal or illegal regarding whether or not your potential landlord will allow small heaters in each room or not. Rather it is a contractual requirement that the potential landlord wants.
Possibly the landlord had a bad experience with small space heaters causing a fire in the past and that is why he or she does not want the small electric heaters in the indididual rooms. I suggest that you sit down with the potential landlord and ask why he or she does not want the heaters in individual rooms.
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