When temperatures outside fall below 60 degrees for 24 consecutive hours, landlords in Cincinnati must provide a minimum temperature of 70 degrees inside rental units. Landlords who don’t comply can face fines up to $300 for the first day and $750 for each additional day they don’t supply heat. Additionally, landlords can be criminally prosecuted for failing to comply with a Board of Health order to provide appropriate heating in their rental unit. This can include up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The reason for the lack of heat does not matter.

If someone is struggling with their landlord to get heat in their apartment in Cincinnati, they may call 513-352-2908 to file a complaint. When filing a complaint, it’s important to that accurate contact information is shared to set up an inspection of the rental unit. Individuals filing a complaint should expect a call from the Health Department within 72 hours to schedule an inspection. During the inspection, the Health Department inspectors will also give people tips on how to safely use space heaters, and remind renters to check smoke detectors and CO2 monitors.

The Cincinnati Health Department allows landlords to temporarily supply heat to a rental unit by providing occupants with space heaters while repairs or replacement of defective furnace, boiler, or other building heating apparatuses are being resolved. The space heaters must provide 70 degrees of heat within the renter’s living space. In lieu of space heaters, landlords may also offer tenants temporary housing, such as a short-term hotel stay.

Hamilton County renters outside the City of Cincinnati may file an online complaint with the Hamilton County Board of Health, or by calling 513-946-7800. Please note that the cities of Norwood and Springdale have their own Health Departments, and therefor different protocols for dealing with these situations. Individuals and families without heat renting apartments in Norwood or Springdale should contact the Norwood Health Department or Springdale Health Department respectively.

You can find more resources related to legal aid by selecting the “Legal Aid” category tab on our Social Service “Utilization Library” page.