Is it illegal for a landlord to control the heating in the UK?

Landlords often ask whether they’re allowed to control heating systems in their rental properties. The short answer? It depends how and why the heating is being controlled.

In the UK, there’s no single law that outright bans landlords from having control over heating. However, there are clear legal responsibilities around tenant comfort, safety, and fairness.

Can a landlord control the heating?
In some situations, yes... but with limits.

A landlord may control heating if:
- The property is a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
- Heating costs are included in the rent
- There is a shared heating system, such as communal boilers

However, even in these cases, heating must be provided for reasonable periods, and tenants should not be left without adequate warmth.

When controlling heating becomes a problem

It may be considered unlawful or unfair if a landlord:
- Restricts heating so severely that the home becomes unreasonably cold
- Uses heating control as a way to pressure or penalise tenants
- Prevents tenants from accessing heating they pay for themselves
- Ignores complaints or refuses to make reasonable adjustments

Best practice for landlords

Rather than strict control, many landlords are choosing thermostat solutions that offer a balanced approach.

Thermostats such as TIME:O:STAT allow landlords to:
- Set sensible temperature limits
- Prevent excessive energy waste
- Monitor heating usage without micromanaging tenants
- Maintain comfort while protecting property assets
- Provide transparency and avoid disputes.

The bottom line

It isn’t illegal for a landlord to control heating in the UK, but it must never compromise tenant comfort or safety. Clear communication, fair usage, and the right technology make all the difference.

At TIME:O:STAT, we help landlords manage heating responsibly, keeping tenants comfortable while maintaining control over energy efficiency.