Attic Accommodation Rental

May 12th, 2019 7:10 pm

#1

blueivory [OP]: Newbie; May 11, 2019; 4 posts

May 12th, 2019 7:10 pm

I want to rent an attic room but I was wondering how temperatures usually are up there in the winter? Can a portable heater help? Does it get unbearably cold as I read somewhere the attic is usually same temperature as outside. How true is this?

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May 13th, 2019 11:41 am

#2

gr8dlr: Deal Guru; Sep 1, 2005; 12130 posts; 7010 upvotes; Markham

May 13th, 2019 11:41 am

blueivory wrote: ↑ I want to rent an attic room but I was wondering how temperatures usually are up there in the winter? Can a portable heater help? Does it get unbearably cold as I read somewhere the attic is usually same temperature as outside. How true is this?

How big is the "room"? What kind of heating/cooling is up there now - baseboard? Are you responsible for electricity - very expensive to heat a attic with electric baseboard. Attick could be super crazy hot in the summer and cold if not properly insulated.

Regardless of what the landlord says, put temp requirements (summer and winter) into your lease. If it's hot, you need them to supply A/C and if cold you need them to supply heat.

We're all bozos on the bus until we find a way to express ourselves...

Failure is always an option...just not the preferred one!

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May 13th, 2019 12:20 pm

#3

blueivory [OP]: Newbie; May 11, 2019; 4 posts

May 13th, 2019 12:20 pm

Its bigger than a standard room and the landlord says the central heating and cooling gets up there. I also noticed an extra fan and a portable heater up there as well. The landlord is responsible for heating and confirms I can use an extra heater. No idea about the insulation and cannot confirm even if I ask the landlord. With this information, what do you think?

May 13th, 2019 12:28 pm

#4

thriftshopper: Deal Fanatic; Jul 7, 2017; 5746 posts; 2532 upvotes; SW corner of the cou…

May 13th, 2019 12:28 pm

You might want to take a look at the number of opening windows and estimate insulation by thickness of roof (no guarantees but more space between roof and attic means more potential for insulation. Could get dreadfully hot if the roof is dark colour and gets lots of sun exposure.

Cream rises to the top. So does scum.

May 13th, 2019 12:42 pm

#5

CNeufeld: Deal Guru; Mar 23, 2008; 11906 posts; 8171 upvotes; Edmonton

May 13th, 2019 12:42 pm

You don’t give a location, so it’s hard to give precise answers. First off, I’d see if you’re covered under the local landlord-tenant act. Second, you might ask if you can contact some of the past tenants to see what their thoughts on the liveability was.

I’d be hesitant, unless you can visit on a hot afternoon. One of the issues with “central air” is that you’re not likely to be the one controlling the temperature. So a setting that’s comfortable for people on the main floor may still leave you roasting.

C

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May 13th, 2019 1:04 pm

#6

blueivory [OP]: Newbie; May 11, 2019; 4 posts

May 13th, 2019 1:04 pm

Great point, thanks. This is in st catharines. Would they mind me asking for contacts of previous tenants? I like it becos of the great space but I want to be sure