What Tenants Need to Know About Smart Thermostats

What a smart thermostat is and why it matters to tenants

A smart thermostat is a device that controls your home's heating (and sometimes cooling) and can be operated via an app, voice commands, or automated schedules — in addition to physical controls on the device itself. Common brands include Nest, Hive, Tado, Honeywell, and Ecobee.

For tenants, smart thermostats offer convenience — the ability to adjust heating from your phone, set schedules, and sometimes save on energy bills. But they can also cause confusion if you are unfamiliar with how they work or have not been given proper instructions by your landlord.

This guide explains what you need to know as a tenant to use a smart thermostat effectively, what you do not need to worry about, and when to contact your landlord.

Basic operation: What you can do without the app

You do not always need the app to control a smart thermostat. Most devices allow basic control directly on the unit.

Adjusting temperature manually

Most smart thermostats have a touchscreen or dial that allows you to raise or lower the target temperature. This works immediately, just like a traditional thermostat. You do not need Wi-Fi or an account for this.

Turning heating on or off

Many smart thermostats have an on/off or away mode that can be activated from the device itself. If you are leaving for a few days, you may be able to set the thermostat to "Away" mode directly.

What you cannot do without the app

Features like setting weekly schedules, viewing energy usage history, and receiving alerts typically require the app and an account. If your landlord has set up schedules, these will run automatically — but you may not be able to view or edit them without app access.

Using the app: What access you should have

To get full functionality from a smart thermostat, you will typically need the manufacturer's app and some form of account access.

What to ask your landlord

• Which app do I need? — Get the exact app name (e.g., "Nest app" or "Hive Home")
• How do I log in? — Ask whether you will be added as a "home member" using your own email, or given guest credentials
• What can I control? — Clarify whether you can adjust schedules or only override temperature temporarily
• Is there anything I should not change? — Some landlords prefer tenants not to alter certain settings

What you should be able to do

As a tenant, you should generally be able to:

• Adjust the current temperature from your phone
• Set temporary temperature boosts
• View and modify heating schedules (subject to landlord preferences)
• Turn heating on or off remotely
• Receive alerts about heating issues

What you probably will not have access to

Full account settings, billing information, and the ability to add or remove other users are typically reserved for the landlord's admin account. This is normal and protects both parties.

Common tasks: How to do them

Here are the everyday tasks you are most likely to need, and how to accomplish them.

Setting a schedule

Most smart thermostats let you create a weekly schedule — for example, lower temperature during work hours, warmer in the evening. This is typically done in the app under "Schedule" or "Routines." If you cannot find this option, you may not have the access level required.

Boosting the temperature temporarily

Most thermostats allow you to temporarily override the schedule — for example, "boost heating for 2 hours." This override expires automatically and returns to the normal schedule afterward.

Setting away mode

If you are leaving for a weekend or holiday, many thermostats have an "Away" or "Eco" mode that lowers the temperature to save energy while preventing the property from getting too cold. This is usually accessible from both the device and the app.

Checking the current heating status

The thermostat display will typically show the current temperature and target temperature. If the heating is actively running, there is usually a flame or heat indicator. The app provides this information remotely.

Troubleshooting: What to try before contacting your landlord

Smart thermostats can seem complicated when something goes wrong, but many issues have simple solutions.

Display is blank or unresponsive

• Check batteries — Some thermostats use batteries that may need replacing
• Check power — The thermostat may have lost connection to its base or power source
• Try restarting — Remove the thermostat from its wall mount, wait 30 seconds, and reattach

App says "offline" or "cannot connect"

• Check your Wi-Fi — The thermostat needs Wi-Fi to communicate with the app
• Check the thermostat's Wi-Fi indicator — Some devices show connection status on screen
• Restart your router — This often resolves connectivity issues

Heating is not coming on

• Check the target temperature — Is it set higher than the current room temperature?
• Check the schedule — The schedule may be set to "off" during this time period
• Check if the boiler is running — The thermostat controls the boiler; if the boiler itself has a problem, the thermostat cannot fix it

When to contact your landlord

Contact your landlord if: the thermostat has no power and you cannot resolve it, the heating is not working despite correct thermostat settings, you need app access and have not been given it, or you are locked out of the app and cannot regain access.

What you do not need to worry about

Some aspects of smart thermostat management are not your responsibility as a tenant.

Account ownership

You do not need to own the account. Being a guest or home member with appropriate access is sufficient for everyday use. Account management is the landlord's responsibility.

Firmware updates

Smart thermostats update automatically. You do not need to manage or install updates — they happen in the background.

Technical configuration

Settings like which heating system the thermostat controls, how it connects to the boiler, and energy provider integration are typically handled by the landlord during installation.

Hardware maintenance

If the thermostat or heating system has a hardware fault, this is a landlord responsibility to fix. You are only responsible for basic operation and battery replacement (if applicable).

Privacy: What landlords can and cannot see

A common concern for tenants is whether landlords can monitor their behaviour through smart thermostats.

What landlords can potentially see

• Temperature settings and schedules
• When heating is turned on or off
• Historical temperature data
• Whether the home is in "Away" mode

What landlords cannot see

• Audio or video from inside the property (thermostats do not have cameras or microphones)
• Who is in the property or when
• Any personal information beyond heating usage

In practice

Most landlords do not actively monitor thermostat data. They have access because they own the account, but checking heating patterns is rarely useful or necessary. If you have concerns, ask your landlord to clarify what data they can access and how they use it.

Summary

• Smart thermostats allow temperature control via app, voice, or the device itself
• You can usually adjust temperature manually without the app
• For full functionality, ask your landlord for app access as a guest or home member
• Common troubleshooting includes checking batteries, Wi-Fi, and target temperature settings
• Account ownership and technical configuration are landlord responsibilities
• Landlords can see heating data but cannot monitor your activities beyond temperature settings

Frequently asked questions