Heating Rental with wood stove?

[Alex Shiber]

I am looking to purchase a multifamily unit and plan to house-hack with this property. This will then free up my current home to have as an additional Rental unit. The home is in a rural setting and is heated primarily with a wood stove in the basement and electric baseboard. Has anyone had any experience with a rental unit with a wood stove? Is the risk of a home fire too great? Should I install a gas or oil furnace? Thanks!

[Marc Winter]

I agree with @Alex Shiber. 

Matter of fact, we won't let a tenant use a fireplace in a rental--we seal up the flue.  That policy came about after we found (years ago) tenants burning newspapers, pine branches (nice aroma, dangerous for chimney fires) old furniture and trash in the fireplace. 

Check with your insurance company and see what they say.  I'd remove the stove or the flue, just to be safe, for both the house, and the tenant.