Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Heat or AC Not Working

No Heat in Your Pittsburgh Rental: What Can I Do?

This is not legal advice. We explain what the law says. We cannot tell you what to do in your situation. For that, talk to a lawyer. Find free legal and rent help in Pittsburgh.

Under Pennsylvania law, your landlord must keep your home fit to live in, and that includes heat in winter. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County set a heating season from October 1 through May 31. County rules also set a minimum indoor temperature. You can report no heat to Pittsburgh's 311 line (the city's service line). For the full state rules, see the Pennsylvania heat guide.

What the law says

  1. If your landlord agreed to provide heat, Pittsburgh's property maintenance code says they must supply it from October 1 through May 31. The Allegheny County Health Department defines the heating season with the same dates. Under county rules, every home occupied in this season must have safe heating in good working condition. It must be able to safely heat every room people live in, every bathroom, and the hallways inside the home.

    Sources:
    1. § 1004.02 (amending IPMC § 602.3), City of Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances. Law.
    2. IPMC 2021 § 602.3 (adopted by Pittsburgh Code § 1004.01), International Code Council. An agency rule.
    3. Article VI § 604 (Definitions), Allegheny County Health Department. An agency rule.

  2. During heating season, Allegheny County Health Department rules set a minimum indoor temperature for homes. If it is 10°F or warmer outside, your home must be at least 68°F, wherever the thermostat is. If it is colder than 10°F outside, your home must never be below 61°F. Your landlord is responsible for this, unless you agreed in writing to supply the heating devices.

    Source:
    1. Article VI § 631(B), Allegheny County Health Department. An agency rule.

Tell your landlord

  1. Tell your landlord the heat is not working, and put it in writing. A text, email, or letter all work. Keep a copy in case you need it later. Your landlord gets a reasonable time to fix it. A broken furnace must be fixed faster in January than in July.

    Source:
    1. Warranty of Habitability, Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. A nonprofit group.

Stay safe while you wait

  1. LIHEAP, the Low-Income Energy Home Assistance Program, can make cash payments to your utility (water, electric, or gas) company. The Dollar Energy Fund also gives grants to families who qualify, to help pay the same bills.

    Source:
    1. Rent and Utility Resources, Allegheny County Department of Human Services. A government guide.

If it is still not fixed

  1. If your landlord does not fix the heat, report it to Pittsburgh's 311 Response Center. Call 311, or 412-255-2621 outside the city, or file the complaint online. Pittsburgh's Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections (PLI) enforces the city's property maintenance code. 311 sends your complaint to PLI code enforcement inspectors or the department in charge. You do not have to give your name to 311, and every request leads to an inspection. One caution from legal aid: for very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home and make everyone leave.

    Sources:
    1. Our editorial rules.
    2. Code Enforcement, City of Pittsburgh, Permits, Licenses and Inspections. A government guide.

  2. If you can afford it, you can pay a private home inspector to check the problems. This can cost money. Their written report and photos can help show the problems in court. A private inspector only writes down the problems for you. To find one near you, search online for "home inspector" or "rental inspection" with your city's name.

    Source:
    1. Our editorial rules.

Published by Nazanin, September 24, 2026. Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.