Winter heating maintenance and tenant temperature rights

As winter approaches, residents are advised on maintaining home heating systems and understanding legal rights regarding indoor temperatures. To ensure efficient heating, it is recommended to bleed radiators to remove trapped air, which can cause gurgling noises or uneven heat distribution. For optimal results, the thermostat should be fully open during the bleeding process, and in houses with circulation pumps, turning the pump off temporarily can help air collect in the radiators.

In Finland, the regulation on housing health dictates that indoor temperatures should be maintained above 18 degrees Celsius to be considered healthy. If a rental apartment remains consistently below this threshold, tenants may be entitled to additional heating at the landlord's expense or a reduction in rent. When measuring temperature to verify these conditions, thermometers should be placed approximately one meter above the floor and at least one meter away from exterior walls or windows to ensure an accurate reading.