Autumn is here and with it comes the desire to turn up the heating so you can cozy up and watch a good series. Here are some rules issued by the Administrative Housing Tribunal (TAL) that must be followed as a tenant or landlord.
For the tenant:
• During cold seasons and when heating is the tenant’s responsibility, they must ensure that the temperature of their accommodation is at least 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees F);
• The tenant must also not overheat to avoid damage to the accommodation;
• The TAL also points out that the correct use of heating devices is necessary at all times – for example, it is possible to ventilate for a few minutes, but not for several hours. And be careful not to freeze radiators that contain water.
For the landlord:
• If the landlord is responsible for heating, he must ensure that the accommodation remains at an appropriate temperature all year round;
• He must also ensure that the heating system functions properly;
• A clause in the rental agreement that specifies a specific time when heating must begin is invalid.
The TAL also reiterates that “if the temperature of the accommodation is not sufficient, the tenant must inform the landlord.” The landlord must react promptly to correct the situation. “If the landlord cannot remedy the situation within a short period of time, he must provide the tenant with additional heating,” the court said in a press release on Friday.
The landlord can also turn on the TAL if he believes that his tenant is not complying with the heating regulations in his accommodation.