I have oil heat and ever since I turned it on there was this smell that came from it. I assumed it was J. because it wasnt on much and then on christmas the fuse blew and it shut off. We reset the fuse, turned it on, and then the whole house filled with this horrible nauseating smell so we turned it off. A few days later they heater tech came and said it was J. something little and left, the smell was still there, and then I called my landlord again, the heater guy came a few days later and then replaced the filter and then left. Same thing a third time, he said there were screws missing on the exhaust and that it was going into the house and now its fixed. Last week I was home sick with my bf and my daughter was at school so we tried the heat, since sh wasnt there, and the house filled with fumes and the smoke alarm went off, and then they came out and said they fixed it and left. So that last time was friday and i didn't want to turn it on with her there so it was set to 60 so it wouldn't come on, well apprently last night was cold and when I was putting her to bed it kicked on and her whole room filled with that smell within seconds, so I turned it off and called my landlord again. The heating company is on their way now, so hopefully they go there while i'm at work and actually fix it. also added info--when taking down Christmas deorations you could see soot all over since it was white behind the decoration---not enough to notice without the decoration being there and leaving a white spot
So with all that info here are my questions
1. has anyone ever had this happen? if so what was it?
i know carbon monooxide is odorless but i was nauseous and dizzy a lot when the heat was on- and am fine since ive been keeping it off--although i was sick so it couldve J. been that
2. everyone seems to think i should ask for money off my rent---i feel bad even asking---although i'm worried that all the oil burning away and not actually heating the house is going to add an extra expense, and the extra expens of the space heaters..whats your opinion. I feel bad because my landlord is really old and i think her husbands sick, but she owns latleast 10 properties and is very wealthy it seems so i'm not sure if i should feel bad asking
there are combined co/smoke detectors in every room and wired together to all go off at once
she is actively trying, as in each time i call her she calls them in a day or two and sends them out BUT my electrc is going to be sky high and i J. put in oil and it seems to be burning off excess each time it kicks on and then has to be shut off immediately
You should PM Rachel, her system has done damn near everything to her. I am sure this has happened as well.
So far as rent goes, they are trying. It doesn't hurt to ask mind you.
Do you have a CO (carbon monoxide) detector in addition to the smoke alarm? If not, get one TODAY. Don't guess about the reason for feeling dizzy, you need to be able to know for sure.
1: This document might have some answers: http://www.heatingoil.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/heat...
2: If the landlord is actively trying to fix the problem, then you probably have no legal grounds to reduce your rent.
Your first concern is your safety. If it kicks on again and filled your home with smoke, etc, call the fire department and ask then to come and check the Co2 levels in your home. If it's dangerous, they will MAKE your landlord fix the heating unit properly.
Sounds to M. like your unit is old and needs replacing. Don't put up with it. I'm sorry that your LL is old and her hubby is sick but your safety and the safety of your family is your first concern.
I'd also insist on getting a qualified tech from a large reputable company in to look at the burner and diagnose the problem correctly. And, I would find out when he is coming and talk to him personally. That way you know what the problem is - hey, she might be putting a band-aid on it and over and over and telling you it's fine.
Good luck.
I didn't finish reading your post, but as a landlord I find this unacceptable. You can call the housing authority and/or health department in your area and make a complaint. No one should be living in a home with exhaust fumes or leaking oil. They can both cause you to become very sick and/or die.
It sounds like it needs to be replaced and the people coming to fix it probably let your landlord know that. You also need to have heat in the winter months, I used to live in PA so I know it gets cold this time of year. She can get in trouble for not providing proper heating.
From a landlords point of view these are things that need to be accounted for when getting paid rent. It doesn’t matter if her husband is sick or that she is old or how many properties she owns. She is the owner and is responsible for correcting these things. If she cannot afford to do so then she should be selling these properties.
I am not trying to sound rude, but I rented for a long time before I bought my first home. I had my share of slumlord type of landlords that would take the money and not fix a thing. Those are the ones that have a lot of money, because they pocket everything.
J. one comment. Are you sure that your detectors are for both smoke and CO? I'm not aware of a combination like that.
