The Renter's Guide To Heating Problems: What To Do When Your Furnace Fails

It's the middle of winter. You wake up, and your apartment is freezing.

Your furnace has quit on you.

As a homeowner, it's an easy fix. Just call a heating repair company and cover the cost. Renting can get a little more confusing. Do you call? Do they pay? How long do you suffer?

Here's the good news:

You have more power than you think. With the right steps you can:

• Get your heat back on faster
• Protect yourself from safety risks
• Make sure your landlord follows the law

Let's dive in...

Why Furnace Problems Hit Renters Harder

If your rental home's heat goes out you don't get to decide how it's fixed. The furnace is your landlord's property. Including the service contract.

That means you're stuck waiting on someone else.

Waiting around can also be dangerous. Drafty houses aren't only unpleasant for the people inside... They can also pose health risks for young children, the elderly, and pets. Burst pipes are also a huge concern. If your pipes freeze and burst, it can damage your possessions in no time.

Who Is Responsible For The Heating Repair Service?

In most cases? Your landlord.

Heat is considered a fundamental requirement in a rental property. If the furnace was included with the unit, generally your landlord is responsible for repairs. This includes scheduling a reliable heating repair service and covering costs for parts and labor.

The right technician will diagnose the underlying problem rather than make a temporary fix that lasts a week. Landlords with rental properties in Mercer County, for instance, often book furnace repair in Princeton, NJ so a qualified technician can inspect the heating system, repair what is broken, and ensure the furnace operates safely before the worst of winter arrives.

There are a few exceptions:

• You broke it: You might be responsible if you abused the furnace.
• Your lease states otherwise: Occasionally, leases (primarily those for single-family residences) require tenants to perform minor maintenance, such as changing filters.
• You pay the fuel bill: If your heat is on your own gas/oil account, you're responsible for running out of fuel.

So read your lease. It's the rulebook for your home.

First Steps When The Heat Goes Out

Quickly scan your furnace before making that phone call. Many "malfunctioning" furnaces have simple problems right in front of you.

Run through these 4x quick checks:

• Is the thermostat set to "heat" and above room temp?
• Do the thermostat batteries need replacing?
• Has a breaker tripped in the electrical panel?
• Is the furnace filter clogged with dust?

One of the most common reasons is a dirty filter. The furnace may overheat if air cannot flow through it and will shut itself off to protect itself.

But here's the thing...

Do not dismantle the furnace. Do not attempt to relight a pilot light if you do not know how. And under no circumstances should you touch gas lines. If the simple solutions don't work, report it.

How To Report The Problem The Right Way

Calling your landlord is fine. However, phone calls don't leave a paper trail.

Always put it in writing. Send a text or email that includes:

1. The date and time the heat stopped
2. What you already checked
3. The current temperature inside your home
4. A clear request for repair

Photograph your thermostat with the indoor temperature displayed. Save copies of all correspondence. Should you encounter future problems, this documentation will be your best ally.

Know Your Rights As A Renter

In most states, laws explicitly require landlords to provide rental properties with heat. These laws are often referred to as "warranty of habitability" statutes.

Plain and simple... your home must be livable. And warmth is part of that equation.

Other states provide specific numbers. In New Jersey, landlords must maintain rentals at at least 68 degrees from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., October 1 through May 1. Overnight, the temperature cannot fall below 65 degrees.

Pretty clear, right?

If your landlord is ignoring you, you can always call your town's code enforcement office. You can also call your town's no-heat hotline, if they have one, or talk to a tenant rights group or legal aid office.

Don't just stop paying rent.

Improperly withholding rent, without regard to your state's statutes, can hurt you and lead to eviction through the court system. Consult your state's statutes or an attorney before taking any drastic measures.

Stay Safe While You Wait

This is the part most renters skip... and it's the most important one.

Heat goes out. People improvise. They use the oven. They plug in 3x space heaters. They light up a camping stove indoors.

Please don't.

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires. Fire departments across the country handled an estimated 37,365 home heating fires per year, on average, between 2020 and 2024. Space heaters and heating stoves caused nearly half of those fires and accounted for about 73% of the deaths.

If you need a space heater to get through the night, follow these rules:

• Keep it at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn
• Plug it straight into the wall, never a power strip
• Turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep
• Never use your oven or a gas grill to heat your home

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that could leak from your furnace if there's a problem. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get outside and dial 911.

Simple Ways To Keep Warm

While waiting for the heating repairman to arrive, try a couple of simple tips. Bundle up with sweaters, fuzzy socks, and a cap. Close doors to rooms you aren't using to keep the heat where you need it. Draft-proof your doors by stuffing rolled towels underneath.

Open your curtains during the day to allow sunlight in... then close them at night to hold in the heat.

Small steps. Big difference.