The Swiss Real Estate Association, which represents landlords, warns that turning down the heating in rented accommodation could result in a legal backlash.
The 19 degree heating target was a specific measure contained in a voluntary energy saving campaign launched by the government in August.
More
More
Fact check: will the Swiss be jailed for heating their homes above 19°C?
This content was published on
A rumour is circulating abroad that people in Switzerland will be fined – and even jailed – if they set their thermostat above 19°C.
But legal experts point to a 2017 Supreme Court ruling that said tenants are entitled to minimum heating of 20-21 degrees Celsius. This ruling has opened the door for tenants to sue for compensation should temperatures drop below that mark.
A government spokesperson told the SonntagsZeitung newspaper that the ruling allowed for reasonable deviations from this target.
But it remains unclear who would be legally accountable for turning down the heating – the landlord or the government who called for this action.
The Swiss Tenants’ Association has written to government to say a 19 degree target is unreasonable for elderly or vulnerable people.
“The current discussions prove that this measure simply cannot be implemented,” tenant’s association general secretary Linda Rosenkrantz told the SonntagsZeitung.
The newspaper also warns of possible heating oil shortages this winter caused by a lack of trucks and drivers to transport it.
Some 57% of Swiss households are rented by their occupants, which is one of the highest rental rates in Europe.
More
More
Switzerland braces for winter energy crunch
This content was published on
Explainer: why is there a risk of an energy shortage this winter? What is Switzerland doing to reduce gas and electricity consumption?
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
COP29: Swiss NGOs call for strong financial support
This content was published on
Ahead of COP29, Swiss NGOs call for wealthy nations to pay $1,000 billion a year to help other countries solve climate problems.
Real Swiss wages likely to rise in 2025, says UBS bank
This content was published on
Higher wages and falling inflation are likely to boost Swiss purchasing power, which will be dragged back by rising health premiums.
This content was published on
Switzerland has a new tectonic map at a scale of 1:500,000, containing updates to geometry, distribution and nomenclature of the tectonic units.
This content was published on
Swiss artist Daniel Spoerri, known for his artworks using leftover food with dirty cutlery and crockery, has passed away in Vienna at the age of 94.
Climate change tipped to alter Swiss avalanche patterns by 2100
This content was published on
Climate change is expected to result in fewer avalanches overall in Switzerland but to increase the danger of wet snow avalanches by 2100.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss electricity savings drive slow out of the blocks
This content was published on
Electricity consumption in Switzerland remains at normal levels despite a government appeal for households to make savings.
This content was published on
Explainer: why is there a risk of an energy shortage this winter? What is Switzerland doing to reduce gas and electricity consumption?
Fact check: will the Swiss be jailed for heating their homes above 19°C?
This content was published on
A rumour is circulating abroad that people in Switzerland will be fined – and even jailed – if they set their thermostat above 19°C.
Swiss willing to give up tumble-dryer but not hot showers
This content was published on
If reductions in household energy-usage were to be enforced rather than recommended (as they are currently), the easiest thing to forgo would be the tumble-dryer: 63% of those polled said they could hang their laundry outside instead, the survey foundExternal link. The poll was run last week by the Leewas analysis group and involved some 16,000 participants.…
Energy saving on track but things could deteriorate, says expert
This content was published on
Gas consumption in Switzerland has fallen by 20% percent in the past two months, but winter could be tough, says supply expert Bastian Schwark.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.