When must landlord update outlets?
Author: boored
Category: Real Estate
Q: I live in an older building and my apartment doesn’t have enough electrical outlets. Isn’t the owner required to add more or update the system?
A: Depends on the condition of the system. A property owner is normally required to keep a place “fit and habitable,” which is usually defined by state law and sometimes honed by county, city, village or town laws. “Habitable” means that the rental unit is fit for occupation or “suitable to be lived in.” Unfortunately, what’s considered “suitable” for some dwellers may not suit other folks at all.
To clear up the confusion, most state laws cover basic conditions, including electrical requirements. Most areas require sufficient electrical outlets for basic use.
For safety, the National Electrical Code is generally the model for state regulation of electrical rules. As far as updating the electrical system, unless substantial renovation has been undertaken most places are “grandfathered” in to code regulations.
An exception may involve ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, outlets. A GFCI is a relatively inexpensive electrical device that usually replaces and fits into a standard electrical outlet.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, GFCIs installed in household branch circuits “could prevent over two-thirds of the approximately 300 electrocutions still occurring each year in and around the home.” Because a GFCI detects ground faults, it can also prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of others by interrupting the flow of electric current.
Ideally, all outlets within a few feet of a water source indoors and out should have outlets changed to GFCI-type power sources.
Feel your rights or safety is being violated? You may want to contact an attorney or legal adviser. If the law is not on your side, the landlord may be willing to pitch in, especially if you make a case that it may improve the value and safety of the property.
Updating by adding extra electrical outlets should be handled by a licensed electrician and is usually not expensive — especially if you offer to split the cost. Contact your landlord to try to reach a mutually agreeable plan.
Q: How many phone jacks should the landlord provide? There’s only one in my kitchen and it’s really annoying.
A: With the burgeoning need for multiple phone jacks, a consumer would hope there are sufficient choices of where to “plug in” at their home.
Unfortunately, most laws have not kept up with technology, some being silent on telephone-access requirements, with others quite detailed.
No law in your area or extension on your side?
On the plus side, technology has provided several solutions, including a “sole jack” cordless system.
Plugging into a single telephone jack, several extensions can be added to the line by plugging into an electrical outlet with sufficient room for the charger base nearby.
Check your local appliance store or online for choice of features and prices.
Source:
investment property
Nobody has left a comment!