When the landlord’s unpaid bill cuts your heat
If your heat is off because the landlord failed to pay a utility they were responsible for, that is the landlord's problem — and cutting off essential services this way can violate California law.
When the landlord is responsible for a utility that powers your heat and lets it lapse, leaving you without heat, they cannot pass that off as your problem. California law protects tenants from losing essential services because of the landlord, and deliberately allowing a shutoff to pressure a tenant is illegal.
Keep any notices from the utility company, document when the heat went off, and save any messages with your landlord about the bill. This is different from an ordinary repair, because it may involve the landlord improperly allowing a service to be cut. If you lost heat because your landlord did not pay a utility bill, a free review can help you understand your rights.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.