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No Heat · California Tenant Rights

Is a faulty heater or furnace a safety hazard?

Carbon monoxide and unsafe heating

Yes. A faulty gas furnace or heater can be a serious safety hazard, because it can leak carbon monoxide — an invisible, odorless gas that is dangerous. Maintaining safe heating equipment and required carbon monoxide alarms is the landlord's responsibility.

A malfunctioning gas heater can produce carbon monoxide, which is one reason California requires working carbon monoxide alarms in units with fuel-burning appliances. Warning signs can include a pilot light that keeps going out, soot around the heater, or people in the home feeling sick or dizzy.

If you suspect a gas or carbon monoxide problem, treat it as an emergency: get to fresh air, call your gas utility or 911, and then notify your landlord. A landlord must keep heating equipment safe, not just functional. If your landlord ignores a heater safety problem, a free review can help you understand your options.

This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.

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