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.
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Fact check: will the Swiss be jailed for heating their homes above 19°C?
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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.
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Switzerland braces for winter energy crunch
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Explainer: why is there a risk of an energy shortage this winter? What is Switzerland doing to reduce gas and electricity consumption?
Basel diocese files five claims of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church
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The diocese of Basel has received 141 reports of sexual abuse since the publication of a sweeping study on violations in the Catholic Church by the University of Zurich in 2023.
Swiss president calls for open markets and stable institutions in WEF speech
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Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter was among speakers at the WEF in Davos to make the case for fair competition, a day after Donald Trump became the 47th president of the United States.
Swiss film in competition at the 75th Berlinale has a shot at Golden Bear
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The feature film La Cache by Lausanne screenwriter and director Lionel Baier has a chance of winning the Silver or Golden Bear at the 75th Berlinale, festival organisers said on Tuesday.
Swiss politician who shot at image of Jesus resigns from Liberal Green Party
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Sanija Ameti, who caused controversy after shooting at an image of Jesus and Mary last September, has resigned from the Liberal Green Party.
Swiss campaigners gather enough signatures to submit ‘responsible business’ initiative
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The Swiss people are set to vote again on the corporate responsibility of multinationals after campaigners collected 183,661 signatures in 14 days for their new 'responsible business' initiative.
Several Swiss municipalities and banks hit by cyberattack
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Russian hackers attacked the websites of several Swiss municipalities and banks on Tuesday, just as the World Economic Forum (WEF), got under way in Davos.
Music strengthens brain connections in premature babies, Swiss study shows
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In premature babies, music strengthens connections in certain areas of the brain, according to a years-long study by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG).
WEF gives Crystal Award to Beckham, Yamamoto and von Fürstenberg
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The World Economic Forum in Davos handed out awards to UNICEF ambassador David Beckham, Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto and women's rights activist Diane von Fürstenberg.
Swiss CEOs betting on a strong domestic market in 2025
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Swiss business leaders are optimistic about 2025, despite a world in crisis, says a new survey by Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
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Economics Minister Guy Parmelin and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang to Bern
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.
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Swiss electricity savings drive slow out of the blocks
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Electricity consumption in Switzerland remains at normal levels despite a government appeal for households to make savings.
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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
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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
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Gas consumption in Switzerland has fallen by 20% percent in the past two months, but winter could be tough, says supply expert Bastian Schwark.
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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.