Providing heat, included in rent
I have a building in which heat is included in the rent. MA has strict laws on temperature parameters, and I am very diligent in maintaining those parameters, to the point that many tenants complain the building is TOO warm. One tenant continuously complains that she is cold, and she uses the kitchen stove for supplemental heat. She has burned out two and a third stove was just delivered on Friday Dec 23. I need to find a way to prove what she is doing. Any ideas, anyone?
Thomas T, MA on Monday, December 26, 2011
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
Make an excuse that you are checking the building smoke detectors. If you see the stove on and nothing cooking, make a note of date and time and send a letter.
Posted by
Donna , NC
on
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
Good idea, thanks. I'll see what happens.
Posted by
Thomas T, MA
on
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
You can actually fine her for using illegal heating source. In my contract it states they can not use the oven as heat make sure she is changing her filters as well that could be why she is cold.
Posted by
Melodie B, ID
on
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
No filters, we're in New England - radiators w/forced hot water. But a very good point about unauthorized heat. Her problem is she's originally from the South (so am I, but I accept where I moved to) and wants to continue walking around in shorts and no sleeves in the winter.
Posted by
Thomas T, MA
on
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
It may be legal to put a security camera in the apartment over the stove.
Posted by
Kenneth C, ME
on
Monday, January 02, 2012
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
It is very illegal to put any kind of camera's in a home that you manage.
Posted by
Melodie B, ID
on
Monday, January 02, 2012
RE: Providing heat, included in rent
Yes, at least in MA it is. And I have a new wrinkle in that she is subsidized by the state and I've just discovered that she has an unauthorized person living in the unit. So, with no action on my part, and by only letting her case worker know, it's resolved to some extent. She has lost her subsidy, and can't afford the rent without it. She's been told to move. Now I just have to get her out. Thanks for all the comments, they gave me a bit of perspective on different angles that might be possible!
Posted by
Thomas T, MA
on
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
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