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A WOMAN has received a shocking fine for a bizarre complaint made by her neighbors.
When Maria Filipi purchased her home 25 years ago, she invested in what was then state-of-the-art heating technology, but currently, it is causing her expensive issues.
Filippi was stunned to open a $460 fine from the city with issues beyond her control relating to her heat pump.
For years, her home in Mascouche, Quebec, has relied on her heat pump to stay warm during the chilly Canadian winters without any complaints from her neighbors or the town.
However, all of that changed when a neighbor complained about the Quebec woman’s heat pump being too loud, leading to an inspection from the city.
“They did their test in one minute to assess the noise of the machine,” Filippi told CTV News.
“One minute!” she exclaimed.
The city concluded that her heat pump is five decibels over the permitted general sound level in the summer, leading to the extraordinary fine.
The homeowner decided to bring in her own expert to test whether the machine was really over the sound limit, as the city claimed.
“I got my machine tested. I got it cleaned. I got the paperwork,” she explained.
Filipi is working on fighting the ticket in court, and has no plans to replace her current heat pump to a smaller, more modern pump.
The Quebecer said her heat pump “works perfectly fine,” and it would not be worth the extra money if other problems arise.
“If I have to replace it, I’m not going to shell out $20,000 only for [the city] to later insist it’s still too noisy,” she remarked.
The City of Mascouche told CTV that “its noise bylaw applies to all tools, appliances and machinery that can potentially make noise.”
NOISE RESTRICTIONS
Loud heat pumps aren’t the only thing homeowners or renters need to worry about.
In an effort to cut pollution, some states are restricting gas-powered lawn equipment.
This equipment includes gasoline-powered lawn mowers, leaf blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and other lawn and garden machines.
The restrictions follow public and governmental concern about harmful pollution and loud noises created by these machines, Pirg reported.
Gas-powered equipment is restricted in 26 states, including Washington, D.C.
Tenant’s rights
According to InCharge Debt Solutions, tenants have several rights in the United States:
As a tenant, you have certain rights, and while they vary from state to state, there is a list of standard requirements virtually every landlord in the U.S. must provide:
- Heat (but not air conditioning)
- Running hot and cold water
- Locks and keys
- Smoke detector
- Clean and safe common areas
Landlords can keep security deposits for several reasons. These include:
- Unpaid Rent
- Damage to the Property
- Cleaning Costs
- Unpaid Utilities or Bills
- Breach of Lease Terms
- Abandoned Property
- Repairs Due to Tenant Negligence
If landlords don’t make any necessary repairs, tenants should:
- Review Your Lease or Rental Agreement
- Document the Problem
- Notify Your Landlord in Writing
- Contact Local Housing Authorities
- Repair and Deduct
- Mediation or Legal Action
- Protect Your Rent
Some rules are stricter than others, with certain counties outlawing the sale of gas-powered leaf blowers or related machines.
Other municipalities impose time restrictions on when these machines can be used outdoors and restrict the season during which they can be used.
Local governments also began offering citizens tax credits for switching to electric lawn equipment instead of gas-powered items.
In 2024, California introduced a rule that newly-manufactured lawns must be zero carbon emissions.
