Landlords in Illinois should stay well-versed in the heating regulations outlined in Section 765 ILCS 705/20 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Residential rental homes must meet specific standards to guarantee the safety and comfort of their renters, particularly during periods of excessive heat or cold. Here are 10 heating requirements that all landlords in Illinois must abide by.
What Are Heating Requirements?
Heating standards guarantee that rental homes keep their tenants’ indoor temperatures at a safe and pleasant level. These regulations specify a minimum temperature that landlords have to provide during chilly months. In addition to temperature criteria, guidelines for installation, system maintenance, and safety compliance are usually included in heating requirements. Many safety measures aim to prevent hazards such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
1. Minimum Heating Temperatures
October 1 through May 31 is the heating season in Illinois, during which landlords must keep rental units at a specific temperature. Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. or if the outside temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the heating system has to keep the interior temperature at least 68 degrees.
2. Nighttime Heating Requirements
Illinois law mandates minimum temperatures both during the day and at night. The minimum acceptable indoor temperature from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. is 62 degrees. Tenants are especially susceptible to temperature changes at night, making this provision crucial to keeping them warm.
3. System Maintenance Responsibilities
Landlords must schedule regular inspections to maintain the heating and cooling equipment in each unit. Considerate landlords will also provide carbon monoxide detectors in each unit if gas appliances, such as a gas furnace or water heater, are being used.
4. Safety Compliance
Heating equipment must meet relevant safety requirements to avoid potential dangers to tenants. All safety elements, including venting and exhaust systems, must be operational. Appropriate installation and routine inspections are essential to ensure the systems function correctly and safely.
5. Written Notice of Heating Policies
Landlords should always provide renters with clear and understandable written notices outlining their heating and cooling policies. This notification should include temperature requirements, instructions for operating the HVAC system, and any specifics about how to access shared spaces.
6. Emergency Heating Provisions
Maintaining a safe living environment for renters requires landlords to have backup plans to fix or replace heating systems promptly. Not providing heat to tenants during dangerously cold weather poses serious health hazards. It also increases the risk of frozen pipes, leading to costly repair bills.
7. Exemptions for Specific Properties
Remember that some residential rental properties may be exempt from specific heating requirements. Different rules or exemptions may apply to homes that do not have a building-wide cooling system and those reserved for those 55 and up. For the sake of compliance and the well-being of their renters, landlords should educate themselves on these particular regulations.
8. Inspections and Enforcement
It’s common practice in Illinois for relevant authorities to check rental houses for compliance with heating rules. The reason for these inspections can be a routine check or a complaint from a tenant. The heating system must be in good working order and adhere to the minimum temperature requirements specified in Section 765 ILCS 705/20, which the authorities will check during inspections. Landlords are usually given a deadline to fix the heating system if it doesn’t match the regulations.
9. Penalties for Non-Compliance
Noncompliance can result in fines, tenant lawsuits, and formal complaints to local housing authorities. Tenants may even temporarily relocate at the landlord’s expense while the issue remains unfixed.
10. Reporting Heating Issues
Tenants should notify their landlord immediately if they discover a malfunctioning heating system or a drop in temperature below the specified levels. A simple letter, email, or phone call will usually suffice. Renters need to keep track of the times and dates that the heating system was not up to par. If the landlord does not tackle the matter in a timely manner, tenants have the option to complain to the local housing authority formally. They also have the option to take legal action in extreme circumstances to get the issue rectified.
Allegiance Heating & Cooling is here to answer questions about the heating requirements landlords must meet in Illinois. In addition to heating installations and repairs, we provide AC maintenance, air duct cleaning, air purification, ductless HVAC, home water filtration services, and more. Call us now to schedule heater services for your rental property in Mokena, IL.
