Know Your Heat Rights: Staying Safe and Warm During Philadelphia’s Cold Months

As colder weather persists, the City of Philadelphia's Department of Licenses & Inspections Quality of Life Department (L&I QOL) reminds residents and property owners that safe, reliable heat is required by law during Heat Season, which runs from October 1 through April 30.

Cold weather is more dangerous than many people realize. Worldwide, cold exposure causes far more deaths than extreme heat. Children, seniors, and medically vulnerable residents are especially at risk.

In 2025, the City received 1,352 complaints about properties without proper heat. More than 40% of those complaints-570 cases-resulted in violations, underscoring how widespread and serious the issue remains.

Because of these risks, L&I QOL prioritizes No Heat complaints and responds quickly during Heat Season.

What the law requires:

• Systems must be capable of heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms to a minimum of 68°.
• Habitable rooms include spaces used for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking.
• These heating requirements apply to two-family homes, multi-family buildings, and rooming houses.
• Single-family homes that are owner-occupied or tenant-occupied are exempt.

A "No Heat" condition may mean:

• The heating system is completely inoperable, or
• The system is working but inadequate, causing indoor temperatures to fall below 68°F-often due to issues like leaking windows or poor insulation.

What to do:

• If your home does not have adequate heat during Heat Season, report it to 311 immediately.
• Property owners are responsible for ensuring heating systems are safe, functional, and able to maintain required temperatures.
• To find a warming center in your area, visit www.phila.gov/getwarm

Living without proper heat is dangerous. When heating systems fail, residents may turn to unsafe alternatives such as stoves, ovens, or portable heaters, which significantly increase the risk of fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other serious hazards. Using stoves or ovens for heat is illegal and unsafe.

Heat is not optional-it's the law, and it is essential for health and safety.