HELP! Is this safe?

11 years ago

Alright so my husband and I just signed a rental agreement and as we were going through the basement apartment we realized the room we were going to use as a baby room has a furnace and hot water tank in the closet. It's not a sealed door - it's a shutter door. The landlord said its a direct vent furnace and he will install a co2 detector. There are no windows but a vent leading from the closet into the bedroom. I'm nervous about carbon monoxide but also air quality. Thanks.

Featured Answer

Nancy Walton

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Carbon monoxide is a big concern, not only for the nursery, but for the whole space. You need to get the fire marshall to approve the space before you move in. In fact, I would be very surprised if the "apartment" was properly permitted in the first place. Each bedroom MUST have an egress window if it is to be used as a bedroom. Please be safe and get an inspection done. You can get out of the contract if the apartment doesn't pass the local fire code.

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Comments (10)

lefty47
11 years ago
HI -- Just get out of the place and find something else ! Better to be safe than sorry . The landlord should understand because you have a baby to look out for as well as yourselves . They might not want the fuss and they should have pointed that out to you before when you viewed the place ... why didn't they ??
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PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
11 years ago
This sounds like it is an unlicensed suite. The lack of window is what is telling you they boxed in and painted the old utility room, put the mechanicals in a closet and then called it a bedroom. You might want to check your state's/province's "cooling off" period (it is legislation that allows a purchaser the right to back out of a purchase). If done inside of a 3 days then you might have an ability to do this without any hassle.
Nancy Walton
11 years ago
They would be able to do that in any case, if it is an unlicensed apartment.
Brooke Coleman
Original Author
11 years ago
Unfortunately we have no cooling off period. And as much as I would like to cancel the lease, as of March I will have no where else to go. So I really need to find a place.
PRO
Darla Scheuerman
11 years ago
Do not jump to conclusions. First call the fire department as well contact regional building department. These people are the ones to ask if it is safe an up to code. Keep baby own your bedroom until coast is clear. Breaking your lease will end up with you owing for 12 months of rent (depending on your state) if you are wrong or can't prove the place is unsafe. Call in professionals, both if the above typically come out at no charge.
PRO
Darla Scheuerman
11 years ago
Sorry for the typos working off my I phone
grobby
11 years ago
Safety is the issue here! I would be running from this rental without looking back, but in the meantime, inform the landlord that you feel there needs to be an inspection by the fire marshall. I bet the landlord will urge you to pass on the apt.
sunnydrew
11 years ago
You should be very skeptical of this place. Get your deposit back and find another rental. It does sound like some half assed reno to add another bedroom, most likely not to code.
User
11 years ago
G2406.2 (303.3) Prohibited locations.
Appliances shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage closets or surgical rooms, or in a space that opens only into such rooms or spaces, except where the installation complies with one of the following:

1. The appliance is a direct-vent appliance installed in accordance with the conditions of the listing and the manufacturer’s instructions.

OR

5. The appliance is installed in a room or space that opens only into a bedroom or bathroom, and such room or space is used for no other purpose and is provided with a solid weather-stripped door equipped with an approved self-closing device. All combustion air shall be taken directly from the outdoors in accordance with Section G2407.6.

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_24_sec004.htm