No Heat in Bedrooms-Michigan

[Lisa A.]

I moved into a 2 bedroom house managed by a Realtor a month ago. I saw it when it was being fixed up. After I moved in, I realized there were no heating vents in the bedrooms. The Realtor seems hesitant to do anything. They keep saying they are going to talk to their furnace man, but nothing seems to come of it. Can anyone give me any idea what my options are if they don't provide heat in the bedrooms? There is heat in the front room and living rooms (none in the bathroom though).

Thank you.

Lisa

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by Jeff Bridges:

You need to remind them of michigan state laws and their duty to provide heat in every living space in your dwelling. State that they must make available heating in your bedroom and it cannot be in the form of electric or temporary/ portable heater due to code violations. If they do not comply or make immediate plans to comply, you can begin the process of notifying michigan housing authority to inspect the dwelling and/or maybe chat with legalaid for suggestions.

Heat and Weatherization

Heat: Under the state Administrative Code, your heating system must be capable of heating every room to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, three feet above the floor and two feet from the exterior walls. If your home is too cold, you can withhold your rent. (See our information on how to withhold rent.)

Jeff Bridges Do you know for certain that above code requires a vent or heat source for each room, or is it acceptable if the main heating source will heat a room to 68 degrees with the door open? There's something that doesn't seem quite right about small houses requiring heat sources for individual rooms when the main heat sources or vents might heat the entire space adequately if all doors are open. I grew up in MI and lived in many rentals without heated bedrooms.