Final answer:
A tenant in North Carolina can withhold rent, repair and deduct, or contact local building inspectors if their landlord fails to fix a broken heating system. Maintaining a written record of communications with the landlord is essential, and consulting a local attorney may be advisable.
Step-by-step explanation:
A residential tenant in North Carolina dealing with a broken heating system during winter has legal grounds to seek remedy, especially after having reported the issue in writing to an unlicensed homeowner and not receiving an adequate response.
According to North Carolina's tenant-landlord law, tenants have the right to a habitable living environment, which includes functional heating during cold weather.
The tenant can legally proceed by informing the landlord of the intention to withhold rent until the heat is fixed, arrange for the repairs themselves and deduct the cost from their rent, or report the issue to local building inspectors. If the landlord still fails to act, the tenant may also have grounds to terminate the lease.
In the context of the temperature discussion, it's relevant to note that keeping the thermostat down, as in the provided reference text, helps to reduce heat loss through the three mechanisms of heat transfer. However, when a heating system is completely non-functional, these measures are not sufficient to maintain a safe, legally required living temperature.
It is important for the tenant to maintain written records of all communications with the landlord regarding the heat issue, as these may be necessary if legal action is required. Seeking advice from a local attorney familiar with housing law will help clarify the tenant's rights and the best course of action.