The question as to whether or not space heaters should be allowed in a rental home is not a hard one to answer. Yes, they ought to be banned. Space heaters have a nasty reputation for causing deadly accidents and costly damages. We’ve all heard a story or two about how a space heater has kept a family sleeping at night warm – and they never wake up. It’s either the electric heater has malfunctioned which resulted in toxic fumes engulfing the place, or it has sparked an electrical fire from which there is little hope of escape. News reports all report the same incident, and the last thing any Pequot Lakes property owner needs is to discover that such a tragedy has happened to their residents.
Generally speaking, most property owners consider electric heaters to be the safer choice for residential use as opposed to fuel-based models. However, despite it being deemed safe, even electric heaters have stringent protocols and safety procedures that must be followed to ensure safety. Children and pets are the ones that are at most risk to injuries caused by space heaters, which puts any resident with a family or a pet at risk. Besides, there’s no assurance that your residents will know or even follow the recommended safety practices or use the space heater according to how it ought to be used which could then lead to awful consequences.
Banning space heaters is not only a wise safety measure but also an important part of protecting yourself and your real estate investment. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has estimated that over 25,000 residential fires are caused by space heaters each year. These fires result in more than 300 deaths and 6,000 emergency room visits annually. While some of these injuries are burns from coming into contact with hot surfaces of a space heater unit, others are far more serious.
An excellent rental property owner knows that he or she bears a high risk of liability if residents are allowed to use space heaters. Although your landlord’s insurance covers the damage to the rental home itself, if a space heater has caused any loss of life or serious injury, you may end up with further legal action. Lawsuits alleging negligence or graver liabilities could put you in jeopardy and not just financially, but also in some cases, your freedom.
Regular property evaluations are essential to defending your property from the threats presented by space heaters. At Real Property Management Deluxe, regular evaluations are a foundational piece of our property management program. We believe that the safety of your residents is a top priority, as is protecting you and your investment from the dangers of noncompliance. Contact us online or call us at 218-454-7962 to discover more about what we can fulfill for you.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
