For property managers

Tenant reports no heat

Updated 30 Sep 2026 · AR Logic LLC

TODAY — EMERGENCY in freezing weather

No heat in cold weather is a same-day problem, and an emergency when it is freezing, when anyone in the unit is elderly, very young or unwell, or when pipes are at risk. Walk the tenant through three checks by message — thermostat on Heat and set above room temperature with fresh batteries, the fan on AUTO, the furnace switch and breaker on — and ask for a photo of the thermostat and the furnace label while you line up an HVAC technician.

Snap a photo — see what it is, how urgent, who to call.

One photo of the problem. fixRAgent reads it and gives you a Triage Profile.

Triage a photo now

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Take the photo. We’ll tell you what it is.

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Your first message to the tenant

  1. If they smell gas or a CO alarm is sounding: they leave and call 911 from outside. Nothing else first.

  2. Thermostat on Heat, set above the room temperature, fresh batteries; fan on AUTO (on ON it blows cold air between cycles) [1].

  3. The furnace’s service switch (a light-switch on or near the furnace) and its breaker on.

  4. The filter: if it is grey and clogged, replace it — a clogged filter can make the furnace shut its burners off [1].

  5. A photo of the thermostat screen and one of the furnace with its label.

How urgent is it?

  • Checks fixed it

    Log it. A clogged filter means the filter schedule is not working.

  • Burners light, then go out after a few seconds

    Classic dirty flame sensor — an HVAC technician today [2].

  • Nothing happens at all

    Power, ignition or control board — HVAC technician today. In freezing weather, agree a temporary heat plan with the tenant, and remind them never to heat the home with a gas oven or stove [5].

Who to send

HVAC technician.

What to say to the tenant

“Thanks for checking the thermostat. I’m getting an HVAC technician out to you today. If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, leave straight away and call 911 from outside.”

The Triage Profile writes this line for every photo, matched to how urgent it is.

What to record

  • When the tenant reported it and the indoor temperature if they can read it.
  • When the technician arrived and what they found.
  • Any heaters supplied.

Local rules

Heat rules are local and specific. In New York City, for example, from October 1 to May 31 owners must keep apartments at 68°F or more from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. when it is below 55°F outside, and at 62°F or more overnight regardless of the outside temperature, and provide hot water at 120°F all year [3]. Check your city and state.

Next time

Have heating serviced every fall and the filter changed on a schedule — ENERGY STAR recommends spring and fall check-ups [4].

Sources

  1. Carrier — Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
  2. Trane — Furnace not blowing hot air
  3. NYC — Heat season resources (heat and hot water requirements)
  4. ENERGY STAR — A guide to energy-efficient heating and cooling
  5. Ready.gov (FEMA) — Hazard information sheets: winter storms (never heat a home with a gas stovetop or oven)

Got the tenant’s photo?

Drop it here. The Triage Profile says what it is, how urgent it is, who to send, and what to tell the tenant.