HSINCHU, Taiwan -- A landlord was charged with manslaughter after his tenant died from carbon monoxide poisoning, the Hsinchu District Prosecutors Office announced.

The landlord installed a dome skylight on the balcony of the building, in Zhudong Township, turning it into what was almost an indoor space, with the aim of creating a place to dry clothes.

But the addition of the dome made the balcony a dangerous location for a gas water heater.

The victim, a man surnamed Wang, rented the room with his girlfriend.

In 2008 both inhaled toxic carbon monoxide produced by the gas heater as they showered, which had accumulated in the room.

Wang was rushed to a hospital after the incident, where he later died.

The landlord was found to have been negligent for not having relocated the gas water heater or installed more air pipes following the alterations, the prosecutor said.

This article was first published in The China Post/Asia News Network.