What Landlord Does to Thermostat in Winter Slammed Online: 'Can't Be Legal'

A post detailing a landlord's decision to lock the thermostat during winter has gone viral on Reddit.

The post, uploaded by Reddit user Nebualaxy, has amassed 11,000 upvotes since it was shared on February 2.

The image accompanying the post shows a thermostat encased in a clear lockbox with a key lock, preventing tenants from adjusting the temperature.

In the post, Nebualaxy wrote: "Landlord locked the thermostat in the middle of winter to 'prevent' the boiler losing pressure. It still drops pressure leaving us without heating or hot water every few days."

The tenant later commented that they live in "supported accommodation" in England, adding: "so I know it has different rules to a regular rental place."

Supported accommodation provides housing with additional support for "16- and 17- year-old looked after children and care leavers [those leaving the foster care system] to enable them to live semi-independently" and help them transition to independent living, the U.K. government website explains.

Joe Martin-Bindley, founder of Peninsular Property in the U.K., told Newsweek that whether a landlord can lock a thermostat depends on numerous things.

"From my experience, the question of whether a landlord can lock a thermostat depends on tenant rights and housing laws. While there is no single law covering all cases, landlords have to provide a safe and comfortable living environment," he said.

"If tenants pay for heating, they should have reasonable control over it and even if landlords pay, they must not set unsafe limits. Lease agreements should specify heating control responsibilities, but these must still comply with housing laws," he noted.

The viral Reddit post comes as "unsettled weather" is forecast to persist across the Northwest region of the U.S. into early next week, with "much colder temperatures and heavy snowfall across the Cascades, northern Great Basin, northern Rockies and northern High Plains" and a storm system crossing the Great Lakes region, the National Weather Service said on Monday.

The Law on Heating and Tenant Rights

Martin-Bindley explained that U.K. landlords are legally required to provide heating that works.

"U.K. landlords must make sure homes are fit to live in and this includes providing heating that works. The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 requires landlords to keep properties warm and safe. If a locked thermostat results in dangerously low temperatures, it could be illegal," he said.

What Can Tenants Do?

Martin-Bindley advised tenants in similar situations to take several steps if they believe their heating rights are being violated.

• Check the tenancy agreement for heating control terms.
• Speak with the landlord to request reasonable access to temperature controls.
• Keep records of home temperatures and communications with the landlord.
• Seek legal advice by contacting Citizens Advice or the local council if needed.

Martin-Bindley assured that tenants do have legal avenues to challenge these situations. "Just remember, as the tenant, you can challenge this, and if the temperature gets unbearable, don't hesitate to take these steps," he said.

'This Doesn't Seem Legal'

The post sparked debate among Reddit users, with many questioning the legality of the landlord's actions.

User AnthologicalAnt responded: "Mate, this can't be legal."

Another commenter, SPECTRAL_MAGISTRATE, questioned whether the tenant was being misled: "This doesn't seem legal. Who has told you that you have 'different rules'? Was it the 'company who owns the house' or the landlord? Both of those information sources are not trustworthy. It's in their interests to invent and then try to make you believe some fictional set of rules to make things more convenient or cheaper for them..."

Reddit users also suggested that the tenant seek legal advice.

Boo_Hoo_8258 wrote: "This landlord appears to be taking advantage of these tenants, I would recommend getting in touch with Citizens Advice and getting help with all tenant rights, OP has rights."

Other users advised moving out altogether. LungHeadZ said: "I've lived a ton of rooms for rent...and never had this. Move, you should move."

Similarly, HorrorPhone3601 added: "Slumlord would rather buy a $10 lockbox than pay a furnace guy to come out and figure out the issue, you'd be better off moving."

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