Should You Allow Space Heaters in Your Reno Rental Property?

Space heaters are known to cause deadly accidents, and property owners should not think twice about banning them in their properties. Safety should be the main priority and allowing residents to use space heaters is just too big of a risk to take. We’ve all heard a story or two about how a family went to bed on a cold winter night, counting on their space heater to keep them warm – and they never wake up. Culprit? Either a malfunctioned electric heater which has resulted in toxic fumes filling the entire home, or it has sparked an electrical fire from which there is little chance of escape. The last thing any Reno property owner needs is to learn that such a tragedy has occurred to their residents.

In its general sense, electric heaters are considered safer for residential use than fuel-based models. But even electric heaters must be used under firm regulation and according to the recommended safety practices. Children and pets are predominantly susceptible to injury caused by space heaters, which puts any resident with a family or pet at risk. Moreover, there’s no assurance that your residents will know let alone follow the recommended safety practices or use the space heater correctly, which may lead to terrible consequences.

Banning space heaters is a move mostly practiced by property owners as it is not only a precautionary measure but also an important part of protecting yourself and your real estate investment. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has estimated that over 25,000 residential fires are caused by space heaters each year. These fires result in more than 300 deaths and 6,000 emergency room visits annually. While some of these injuries are burns from coming in contact with a space heater unit, others are far graver.

As the rental property owner, you carry a high risk of liability if you allow your residents to use space heaters. While your landlord’s insurance covers the damage to the rental home itself, if a space heater has caused any loss of life or serious injury, that may result in further legal action against you. Lawsuits alleging negligence or anything worse could threaten not only your livelihood, but also your assets and, in some cases, your freedom.

Regular property evaluations are central to guarding your property against the threats presented by space heaters. At Real Property Management Corazon, regular evaluations are a foundational piece of our property management program. We believe that the safety of your residents is the highest priority, as is protecting you and your investment from the dangers of noncompliance. Contact us online or call us at 775-826-1414 to learn more about what we can do for you.