CO & Ventilation: Tenant Safety in Austria
Tenants in Austria should know CO risks and proper ventilation to keep living spaces safe. This guide explains how to recognize carbon monoxide, immediate measures to take in the apartment, and when to inform landlords or authorities. It gives simple ventilation rules, advice about gas appliances, and how to document defects and reports under the Mietrechtsgesetz[1] and the Allgemeines Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch[2]. The text is practical and aimed at people without legal background so you as a tenant can better understand your rights and duties in Austria and act safely in emergencies.
Why CO and ventilation matter for tenants
Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless and can arise from faulty heaters, stoves, or gas appliances. Because CO is invisible, symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness often appear late. Good ventilation reduces the risk by providing air exchange and preventing exhaust gases from entering living rooms. As a tenant, you should regularly ventilate and heat, have burners checked, and act immediately if you suspect CO.
Typical warning signs
- Headaches, dizziness or nausea while staying in the apartment
- Black stains on stoves, soot buildup or unusual exhaust odors
- Pets or people becoming ill suddenly
What tenants should do immediately
- Open windows and doors immediately to ventilate rooms
- If possible, turn off affected appliances or use the shutdown switch
- If severe symptoms occur, call emergency services and leave the apartment
- Inform the landlord in writing and document the defect
Documentation and communication
Record date, time, symptoms and all steps (photos, measurement values, witnesses). Send a short written notice to the landlord and request measures. If the landlord does not respond within a reasonable period, you can contact the competent district court or consider legal steps.
Preventive measures in the apartment
- Regular maintenance of gas and heating appliances by professionals
- Correct installation and sufficient ventilation for combustion appliances
- Install CO detectors at strategic locations
Rights and duties (brief)
Tenants are entitled to a habitable apartment and can report defects; this is regulated in the Mietrechtsgesetz[1]. Landlords are obliged to remedy hazards. In severe health hazard cases, judicial clarification may be necessary.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How do I detect carbon monoxide?
- CO is odorless; watch for nonspecific symptoms, soot or faulty combustion and use CO detectors.
- What should I do if I suspect CO?
- Leave the apartment, ventilate and call emergency services if there are health problems; then inform your landlord in writing.
- Who pays for heater maintenance?
- Generally, the landlord bears costs to ensure the heating system; specific obligations may be in the lease or under MRG.
How-To
- If symptomatic: leave the apartment immediately and get fresh air.
- Call emergency services if people are unconscious or have severe complaints.
- Inform the landlord in writing about the defect and request remediation.
- Create documentation: photos, times, witnesses, measurement values.
