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?
Switzerland condemns deadly attack on UN convoy in Sudan
This content was published on
Switzerland has strongly condemned the deadly attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy in Sudan. Five people were killed, wrote the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) on Platform X.
Most over-65s in Switzerland regularly use the internet
This content was published on
The digital divide is narrowing faster than expected in Switzerland. A study published on Wednesday reveals that nine out of ten over-65s use the internet.
Will Swiss president be forbidden from speaking English to counterparts?
This content was published on
Switzerland's president, Karin Keller-Sutter, should use one of the country's four national languages when communicating with international organisations, and not English, according to a motion that passed on Wednesday.
Canton Valais gives CHF10 million to Blatten after devastating landslide
This content was published on
Canton Valais is releasing CHF10 million ($12.1 million) in emergency funds for the mountain village of Blatten, which was wiped out by a devastating glacier collapse last week.
Elderly Swiss-Tunisian man held in prison in Tunisia
This content was published on
An 81-year-old Swiss-Tunisian dual national is being held in a Tunisian prison. The former manager of the UN refugee agency UNHCR was arrested a year ago, according to Amnesty International.
Major traffic jams expected in Switzerland for Whitsun weekend
This content was published on
Long traffic jams can be expected near the Gotthard Tunnel, the main north-south transalpine route in Switzerland, on Friday and Saturday afternoons due to the Whitsun holiday.
Swiss defence minister launches probe into alleged spy links with Russia
This content was published on
Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister has launched an investigation into the alleged disclosure of sensitive information by the cyber division of the Federal Intelligence Service to Russia.
PFAS-contaminated meat still sold in eastern Switzerland
This content was published on
Meat containing excessive levels of toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" produced by farms in canton St Gallen is still being sold.
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.