The City of Winnipeg has sent a message to negligent landlords – properly heat buildings or pay up.

A report is recommending fining building owners who fail to provide adequate heat for tenants in the winter.

Landlords are currently supposed to keep the heat at 21 degrees in the day and 18 at night.

More than 300 landlords were found in violation of that in 2012. So far this year, renters have made 134 complaints.

Proposed fines for individuals and corporations providing no heat or inadequate temperatures for tenants would range between $500 and $5,000. Some fines would be cut in half for early payment.

The idea was first pitched by Coun. Harvey Smith (Daniel McIntyre).

"I think we'll have fewer people complaining about heat. The landlords, I think, are going to be more in tune to do something about the heat,” said Smith.

Under the proposal, city inspectors could respond to complaints and issue the tickets.

Winnipegger Brody Grusko, a former renter, has his doubts about the plan.

“From a renter’s perspective, in theory, it sounds like it will be beneficial. I don’t know how it will be enforced – that’s the difficulty,” said Grusko.

He said he moved into a house because the landlord at his former apartment refused to turn the heat up to a reasonable temperature. Grusko said it took weeks of fighting with the landlord until the building warmed up.

The city said money generated from fines will be used to prosecute landlords who decide to fight their tickets in court.

The fines could take effect as soon as city council approves the proposal.

- with a report from Jeff Keele