Tenant/Space Heater Question?

[Glamour Puss]

Are there any laws forbidding ceramic space heaters in apartments? A walk-in first floor illegal apartment in a one family house in one of the 5 boroughs? Curious also...if the heater starts a fire, is the tenant held responsible for anything?

[luvmeluvmycat]

They really aren't safe... You have to be super careful w/ them. I don't know the laws but try not to sleep w/ it on at night.

[MiKEY DOOODiE]

just make sure theres no paper or clothing or anything that can catch fire in front of it and youll be fine

[John Kennedy]

There aren't laws forbidding space heaters, but there are laws forbidding illegal apartments.

[Glamour Puss]

That I know & that is why I havent called 311 because unfortunately I have to remain there for the time being. There was no heat all night and wasnt any this morning either.

[John Kennedy]

That I know & that is why I havent called 311 because unfortunately I have to remain there for the time being. There was no heat all night and wasnt any this morning either.

Fire up a heater.. and as for the apartment, your landlord is liable and has to pay a fine if he has an illegal apartment, you're doing nothing wrong. You don't have any rights though, as far as the city/state enforcing any rules in your favor (depends on where you live exactly, but you usually don't in an illegal apartment). Neither does the landlord in enforcing anything against you really, so don't expect the landlord to call any law enforcement on you unless he wants to start paying fines himself. His only option against you is to change the locks.

[podes]

why wouldnt you just pay the $40 bucks and get a good space heater than limits the possibility of catching fire

[Old Fart]

oil filled radiators are much safer, no open heating element.

So safe are those heaters I have actually had 2 of them inside a boat as I was spraying paint inside of it.
No fans and no open heating element make it very safe.
They also shut off if tipped over.

You can get them in the $30-$40 range, make sure you use a heavier duty extension cord.

[Glamour Puss]

I bought this one:

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CCAQ8gIwBA#

Feels like Death Valley when it reaches 70 degrees alone. Blew a fuse 3 times last week with it LOL

[RIP TEMPTS]

I had an issue with my heat in my new place so I nicely emailed the landlord and told them the heat wasn't working. I also asked them to please suggest a space heater to use because I didn't want to be held responsible if I bought a space heater and the place burns down but that I had no other choice because the heat wasn't working properly.

The landlord bought me an expensive space heater AND was there with the contractor within a few days.

I would just make sure you have renters insurance for your stuff.

[Kyle]

I would just make sure you have renters insurance for your stuff.

Good call