Home owner denying access to outdoor power plug for the block heater

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Jan 22nd, 2019 8:07 am

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Jan 18th, 2019 2:31 pm

redtrapperhat [OP]: Newbie; Jan 17, 2019; 1 posts

Jan 18th, 2019 2:31 pm

Home owner denying access to outdoor power plug for the block heater

I am in a very confusing situation. Here is my situation -
I am a resident of Ontario. I have rented a house, and I pay my rent individually. My rent lease covers all utilities and parking space for one car. I am only one owning a car in the house of all. Unlike the last owner with whom I had a similar arrangement, this owner is not allowing me to use outdoor power plug for my car's block heater. I live in Northern Ontario, and my car is ancient and relies on the block hear for a smooth start in the morning. He has unpowered the plug and is asking me $50 for a month for access with reason that it was not part of the lease. Being a student and already a high rent, $50 for three months would be a hefty expense. Is it right of him to ask this money? My lease already says that hydro covered by owner and there is a facility to park one vehicle. Can he land me in trouble for using power extension from the house and not paying him extra for outdoor power plug?

36 replies

Jan 18th, 2019 3:00 pm

tommyamaral: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2004; 1201 posts; 160 upvotes; Mississauga

Jan 18th, 2019 3:00 pm

If u leave it plugged in all night then it will probably cost about $60 a month. I think its fair to ask for $50 a month.

+11

Jan 18th, 2019 3:05 pm

CNeufeld: Deal Fanatic; Mar 23, 2008; 8027 posts; 4753 upvotes; Edmonton

Jan 18th, 2019 3:05 pm

You mention "last owner"... Did the property change hands, or was that a different property? If this is the same property, you might have grounds to file a claim with the LTB based on the landlord reduced the services provided. You can contact the LTB to find out if you have a case. The form to fill out is the T3 form, located here:
http://www.sjto.gov.on.ca/ltb/forms/

Plan B (especially if heat is included in your rent) is to crack open a window and run an extension cord from your bedroom out to the car...

C

Jan 18th, 2019 3:06 pm

tommyamaral: Deal Addict; Jan 13, 2004; 1201 posts; 160 upvotes; Mississauga

Jan 18th, 2019 3:06 pm

https://www.torontohydro.com/sites/elec ... Chart.aspx

I know your in northern Ontario but I found this. I have a friend who uses one and he told me he pays about $60 a month plugged in overnight. This chart says its cheaper then $60/month.

Jan 18th, 2019 3:10 pm

Arrgh: Deal Fanatic; Feb 15, 2006; 7734 posts; 2135 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 18th, 2019 3:10 pm

The owner is rightfully worried it'll use up a lot of electricity.

If you use a timer to turn it on 1/2 hr before you go out in the morning, that'll use much less electricity. Talk to the owner and see what you can negotiate.

Jan 18th, 2019 3:34 pm

engineered: Deal Fanatic; Feb 11, 2007; 9250 posts; 8096 upvotes; Oakville

Jan 18th, 2019 3:34 pm

There's no limitation in your rental agreement so the owner has no right to deny your use of electricity. If you want to run 500W computer 24/7 inside what is he gonna do?
No different than running a 500W block heater.

However, rather than run an extension and plug your block heater in (as your are within your rights to do), maybe you can avoid getting into a fight by using a timer to control your block heater so that it only runs for an hour or 2 before you leave.

I run a timer for my car's block heater. Running it all night is pretty dumb. Here are some options.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/noma ... 8845p.html
https://www.amazon.ca/STANLEY31214-Outd ... B008HTAGUK
https://www.amazon.ca/Intermatic-HB31K- ... B00P4S5VIE

Jan 18th, 2019 4:14 pm

CoolDudeClan: Deal Addict; Sep 27, 2011; 3278 posts; 1841 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 18th, 2019 4:14 pm

Use a block heater timer. They're like $15 at Home Depot. You only need it turning on 2 hours beforehand. No reason to run it all night.

FreezingCanada wrote: ↑
Jan 3rd, 2015 5:41 pm
We voted him in as God of RFD last month. Where were you during elections...?

+2

Jan 18th, 2019 4:16 pm

Rick007: Deal Addict; Oct 14, 2010; 1043 posts; 494 upvotes; Barrie ON

Jan 18th, 2019 4:16 pm

It is not unusual for high rise apartment managers to demand an extra fee from anyone operating an air conditioner in the summer months. In my city, they charge a onetime annual fee of $50. They can also specify what type of AC units you can install. These are primarily the floor models with a hose that goes to the window. Nothing is allows to hang over the windows sill. In an apartment an additional $50 could come close to doubling the cost that a tenant would normally use.

Some folks have already given references to the cost of a block heater, but if you had a KiiiaWatt ($30.99 at Amazon) you could measure the actual KWH used and calculate the cost. Then you could make a mutually agreeable deal with the landlord.

+1

Jan 18th, 2019 4:23 pm

vkizzle: Deal Expert; Aug 22, 2011; 25018 posts; 11331 upvotes; Ottawa

Jan 18th, 2019 4:23 pm

+1 using a timer.
Even if it was free, there's no need to waste that much electricity having it plugged all night.

+4

Jan 18th, 2019 4:36 pm

Kevin711: Member; Jan 7, 2006; 324 posts; 68 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 18th, 2019 4:36 pm

My block heater works out to about 3 cents an hour off peak. I have it on a timer, I run it for 3 hours before my usual driving time.. I don't really need to plug in, but it gets me heat about 2km earlier on a -10 day.

I checked with a killawatt meter.

Jan 18th, 2019 4:39 pm

CNeufeld: Deal Fanatic; Mar 23, 2008; 8027 posts; 4753 upvotes; Edmonton

Jan 18th, 2019 4:39 pm

Rick007 wrote: ↑
Jan 18th, 2019 4:16 pm
It is not unusual for high rise apartment managers to demand an extra fee from anyone operating an air conditioner in the summer months. In my city, they charge a onetime annual fee of $50. They can also specify what type of AC units you can install. These are primarily the floor models with a hose that goes to the window. Nothing is allows to hang over the windows sill. In an apartment an additional $50 could come close to doubling the cost that a tenant would normally use.

Some folks have already given references to the cost of a block heater, but if you had a KiiiaWatt ($30.99 at Amazon) you could measure the actual KWH used and calculate the cost. Then you could make a mutually agreeable deal with the landlord.

The extra fee would have been fine if it was included in the lease. But AFAIK, the landlord can’t unilaterally decide to tack on a fee just because he feels like it.

C

Jan 18th, 2019 4:52 pm

Naz: Member; Apr 30, 2004; 264 posts; 76 upvotes

Jan 18th, 2019 4:52 pm

I use synthetic oil in my 15yo car. Never had any starting problems even at -27C.
Never heard anybody at work or friends still using block heaters .

+3

Jan 18th, 2019 7:32 pm

Kevin711: Member; Jan 7, 2006; 324 posts; 68 upvotes; Toronto

Jan 18th, 2019 7:32 pm

Naz wrote: ↑
Jan 18th, 2019 4:52 pm
I use synthetic oil in my 15yo car. Never had any starting problems even at -27C.
Never heard anybody at work or friends still using block heaters .

I use dino oil in my 16 year old beater, it starts fine in -35 but I like to have heat before I get to the end of the street so I plug it in. There's the case for an autostarter, but that would cost more than the car is worth.

Jan 18th, 2019 8:07 pm

Red_Army: Deal Addict; Oct 15, 2007; 4036 posts; 1361 upvotes

Jan 18th, 2019 8:07 pm

I’m interested to know how this turns out.

On one hand did the OP disclose that their car requires a block heater and therefore requires their car to be plugged in overnight using what can be considered unnecessary power.
Or should the landlords lease state that add on unnecessary convenience high power consumption items such as a window ac or in this case a block heater be an additional charge to the tenant

Everything has been said before, but since nobody listens we have to keep going back and beginning all over again. - Andre Gide

Jan 18th, 2019 9:13 pm

JEDI Force: Member; Feb 25, 2004; 483 posts; 96 upvotes; Longueuil

Jan 18th, 2019 9:13 pm

My car doesn't seem to have issues but I use the heater with a timer when it is cold. It reduces the gas needed (and electricity is cheap and clean in Québec).

"At -20°C, block heaters can improve overall fuel economy by as much as 10 percent. For a single short trip at -25°C your fuel savings could be in the order of 25 percent."
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/i ... fm?attr=28

Try not! Do or do not, there is no try...

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