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Most local governments have adopted a code applicable to existing structures, that establishes standards that a building must meet. Several different construction, maintenance, and/or housing codes address the topic, and so the answer is dependent on what code is in place where the structure is located (although as a practical matter most of the standards are very similar.) What follows is the applicable provision from the International Property Maintenance Code, which has been adopted by many Washington governments (note that governments can and do amend these provisions in these types of codes; a typical amendment is to eliminate the clause describing the dates during which heat must be available):
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602.3 Heat supply. Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases or lets one or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory or guestroom on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from [DATE] to [DATE] to maintain a temperature of not less than 68ºF (20ºC) in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
<br />Exceptions:
<br />1. When the outdoor temperature is below the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality, maintenance of the minimum room temperature shall not be required provided that the heating system is operating at its full design capacity. The winter outdoor design temperature for the locality shall be as indicated in Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code.
<br />2. In areas where the average monthly temperature is above 30ºF (-1ºC) a minimum temperature of 65ºF (18ºC) shall be maintained.
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BTW, make sure the local building department will accept a portable heater before relying on that as a heating source (if a local government building department was my client, I would advise that they not accept a portable. Darned things start fires, and there is too much liability.) Because we all know that if LL fails to satisfy T, then T's next call is to the local building department.
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Scott Thomas
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<!-- <![endif] --> On November 11, 2014 at 2:27 PM Justin Monro <justinm@monrolawfirm.com> wrote:
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<p class="MsoNormal">List mates:</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Client landlord has home rented. House is older.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The house has baseboard heat in all rooms except the living room area.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The landlord had a plug in type of heater that was taken out prior to rental to new tenants.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Tenants are requesting that landlord provide heat in the living room area.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Is this required that the landlord install heat in living room? Or some other alternative heating?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Justin K. Monro</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Attorney at Law</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Monro Law Firm P.S. Inc.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1830 Bickford Ave. Ste 204</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Snohomish, WA 98290</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">P:360.863.3728</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">F:360.863.3985</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE: This e-mail message contains information belonging to The Monro Law Firm P.S. Inc. which may be privileged, confidential and/or protected from disclosure. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you think that you have received this message in error, please contact the sender. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited.</p>
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_______________________________________________
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Scott G. Thomas
<br />Law Office of Scott G. Thomas
<br />1204 Cleveland Avenue
<br />Mount Vernon, WA 98273
<br />(360) 503-1042
<br />www.scottgthomaslaw.com
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<br />Because this is a communication from a lawyer, it necessarily contains warnings such as this. I am a lawyer, but unless we have entered into an agreement for legal services, I am not your lawyer. And, if this message was intended for someone else but you have inadvertently received it, I ask that you delete the message and let me know you received it so that I can take steps to make sure you do not receive messages in the future. Thank you.
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