'We deserve to be warm' | What Louisville apartment renters can do if stuck without heat

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- When temperatures drop, renters have the right to a warm home.

But the city of Louisville has already taken 90 complaints about properties without heat so far this winter.

Here's what you can do if the heat goes out.

Kimberly Nolet lives at the Vue Apartments on Third Street. She said she's been without water and heat for much of this week.

"I would say the thermostat is registered at like 25 degrees," Nolet said.

Nolet said her water came back on late Thursday night but the building's boiler system is still out.

"The water's on but then the boiler system isn't on... and there's no hot water," Nolet said. "I mean you can take ice cold showers."

The Vue's management team told WDRB they have crews working on the problems to fix them as soon as possible.

Louisville's Code and Regulations department said it's staying on top of the issues.

"They told us there was a boiler issue," said Richard Price, the Metro Codes and Regulations director. "They have been great working with my team. My team has done a great job of staying engaged with that property owner, to get this fixed."

Price wants tenants to know his office takes these situations seriously.

From October to May -- the law states rental properties must maintain a temperature of no less than 65 degrees.

"Living without heat, living without necessities that is clearly under the law is unacceptable," Price said.

If your heat goes out, your landlord is legally obligated to fix it. If the issue isn't repaired in a timely manner then code enforcement will get involved.

So far, they've handled 90 "no heat" cases this winter.

"We need people to call our office," Price said. "Tell us that your landlord is not being responsive. Tell us the situation and we will respond."

And if you're having trouble paying your heating bill, there is help available through the low income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP).

"We help thousands of people every year to help keep their homes heated during these cold months, all they need to do is schedule an appointment," LIHEAP Supervisor Brandon O'Neal said.

Both offices stress that they can't get you the help you need if you don't reach out.

"You don't have to be too proud to ask for help," O'Neal said. "We want to help. That's what we're here for."

"We are individuals with hearts too," Nolet said. "We deserve to be warm."

For more information on LIHEAP, click here. For more tenant resources, click here.

You can also check out more code and regulations here. The phone number for Codes and Regulations is 502-574-2508.

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