Installing own thermostat in Rented Flat.

Student_debt_Hype

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice. I live in first floor appartment where there I have my own entryway and stairwell to my apartment with a door seperating the stairwell and my main flat

The problem is my thermostat is is fixed to the wall in the stairwell of my apartment and it gets MUCH colder in there than in my actual flat (it insulates heat pretty well) so it can't regulate the temperature well at all. I've also used the timer on my boiler/heater but this just doesn't work either - sometimes its super mild in the evening and when I get back its a furnace in the flat.

It's killing me on money sometimes. And I can't reliably get the timer working, its is constantly too hot or too cold in my flat.

There is no easy way to remove the thermostat from the wall and just have it in the main room.

I think I have 2 possible options (exluding just living with it):
1. Get a new thermostat put in, like nest for example or something cheaper. (should I ask the landlord? Offer to pay for it, DIY it and put the old one back in when I move?).
2. Ask my landlord to move/ put a new one in - but that seems like a palava, that could get me in their bad books.

Any advice?

missile

I would suggest you buy and install hive. You can site the thermostat wherever you want and re-install old thermostat when you leave. See here

unforeseen

I think you will still need to employ a gas safe engineer to install it (assuming GCH) as the receiver needs to be wired into the boiler.

I f you plan on doing something like this why bother with Hive unless you want to control it away from home. A standard wireless thermostat will work just as well.

neilmcl

unforeseen wrote: »

I think you will still need to employ a gas safe engineer to install it (assuming GCH) as the receiver needs to be wired into the boiler.

I f you plan on doing something like this why bother with Hive unless you want to control it away from home. A standard wireless thermostat will work just as well.

You don't require a gas safe engineer to fit a wireless thermostat although it would be advisable to use someone who is familiar with your make of boiler.

lstar337

I fitted my own in a rented flat.

I just kept the old one and put it back when I moved out.

Student_debt_Hype

Thanks for all the replies guys/ girls!

So i did a bit of googling and installation isn't that hard. It doesn't expose me to any actual gas or plumbing work. I have a fairly new boiler - I took the front panel off and I can see the current thermostat receiver wiring and input. I have a basic knowledge of wiring, both from a level physics back in the day and my dad giving me a crash course. I could probably install it myself with some trial and error.

So my real question is: should I let me landlord know. I both want to be a polite Tennant, as my landlord (it's 2 brothers who own the property) have been really chill with me, and I want to pay that back.

The other problem is, for whatever reason, my bloody agents (which my landlord isnt much or a fan of either) inspect the place every 2-3 months (I feel like a student again!). If I put another receiver box, they'd definitely know (its placement is rather conspicuous).

I don't mind paying for it all, the thermostat, inhalation etc. It would probably saving me whatever the cost is over the year anyway! But should I ask the landlord at all?

Again thanks so much for the replies!!!

neilmcl

Student_debt_Hype wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys/ girls!

So i did a bit of googling and installation isn't that hard. It doesn't expose me to any actual gas or plumbing work. I have a fairly new boiler - I took the front panel off and I can see the current thermostat receiver wiring and input. I have a basic knowledge of wiring, both from a level physics back in the day and my dad giving me a crash course. I could probably install it myself with some trial and error.

So my real question is: should I let me landlord know. I both want to be a polite Tennant, as my landlord (it's 2 brothers who own the property) have been really chill with me, and I want to pay that back.

The other problem is, for whatever reason, my bloody agents (which my landlord isnt much or a fan of either) inspect the place every 2-3 months (I feel like a student again!). If I put another receiver box, they'd definitely know (its placement is rather conspicuous).

I don't mind paying for it all, the thermostat, inhalation etc. It would probably saving me whatever the cost is over the year anyway! But should I ask the landlord at all?

Again thanks so much for the replies!!!

Unfortunately when dealing with electrics "trial and error" can lead to serious consequences including fire, injury or death. I would leave this to someone more qualified, especially as you're not the homeowner.

neilmcl

What make and model of boiler is it and is the current thermostat hard wired or wireless?

Tranquil

Hello

I would recommend getting a professional installer for anything to do with the boiler, particularly since it’s rented. I would also recommended definitely telling your landlord for a number of reasons, mainly that it is an alteration and so will likely be included in your contract and even though it it technically ‘reversible’, it would still be a substantial ‘change’ and would be picked up in an inspection.

Although I’m not sure why you are hesitant about telling the landlords. As a landlord, I would be very pleased if a tenant was wanting to fully pay for and install a smart thermostat! Especially since the landlord should probably be sorting out the not well placed thermostat in the first place (but I get the sense you aren’t wanting to ask the landlords to move it, but you could very well make a case for them doing so!).

getmore4less

If it is wireless it will be just a case of buying another one(the same or compatible model) turning the one on the wall off and syncing the new one to the receiver.

A thermostat is just a on/off switch not a substantial change.

Alex1983

Trial and error lol, let's hope your landlord is happy with you poking around inside the boiler, I know I wouldn't be. Let's also hope you don't put mains power down a low voltage part of the boiler and fry a pcb.

Tell the landlords what you want to do and pay a qualified person to fit. Most boilers you shouldn't be removing the case off as they are combustion seals.