Some Passaic renters have gone without heat for months, mayor says. A new law could help
PASSAIC — A new ordinance requires city landlords to inspect heating equipment every year, and they will have to send tenants a notice to prove they've done so.
The inspections are meant to ensure that heating units are capable of keeping all parts of an apartment's living space at 70 degrees. The notices will have a number to call the Department of Inspection and Code at City Hall to report if the heat is insufficient.
"Families were sharing with me that landlords had gone over a year not providing heat and they were using ovens and space heaters," Mayor Hector Lora said.
The ordinance applies to all types of rental units, from two families to large apartment complexes.
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While aimed primarily at keeping tenants warm, the ordinance could have the effect of reducing the use of alternative heating sources such as space heaters and kitchen ovens.
These can pose dangers such as fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. The horrific Bronx high-rise fire that killed 17 people in January was caused by a space heater.
Passaic Fire Chief Pat Trentacost says the law has his support.
"We have also had space heater fires within our city over the years," Trentacost said. "Certainly the New York fire brought everything to the forefront."
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Matt Shapiro, president of the New Jersey Tenants Organization, said heating issues are among the most common concerns of renters.
While he has no hard data to point to, he says it wouldn't surprise him if the eviction moratorium led cost-conscious landlords to cut back on heating expenses.
"Landlords without rental income, or with reduced rental income, may try to reduce their expenses by reducing services like heat," Shapiro said. "That’s not necessarily a smart thing to do, as it provides tenants with a legal argument to withhold rent.
"In any case, it sounds like a good ordinance," he added.
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New Jersey law already requires landlords to provide enough heat to maintain temperatures during the day of at least 68 degrees, and 65 degrees at night, between Oct. 1 and May 1. This Passaic ordinance, which may be the first of its kind, goes beyond that by requiring the annual inspection and notice to tenants.
Lora says that's important because some 70% of Passaic's residents are tenants, many of whom are not aware of the state requirements.
"If a particular tenant is scared of calling about themselves alone," for fear of retaliation, "then the heating system can be the focus."
Matt Fagan is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: fagan@northjersey.com
Twitter: @fagan_nj
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Passaic addresses no-heat complaints with new law for landlords
