Buying guide

Smart heating for renters

Draft for owner review — wording and facts to be checked against sources before launch.

The short version

Renters can usually make smart heating upgrades that reuse existing wiring or need no wiring at all, as long as the original controls are kept and can be refitted when you leave.

What usually needs permission

• Replacing a wired thermostat or programmer, even if the new one uses the same wires.
• Anything that involves the boiler itself.

Ask your landlord or letting agent in writing first, and keep the original parts safe.

What usually doesn’t

• Smart radiator valves that screw onto the existing valve body and can be swapped back.
• Energy-monitoring smart plugs, which simply plug into a socket.
• Clip-on energy monitors, which clip around the meter cable without any rewiring.

Before you move out

1. Refit the original thermostat, programmer and valve heads.
2. Remove the devices from your app account so the next tenant can’t control them.
3. Take your devices with you — they’re yours.

Check compatibility first

Use the boiler compatibility checker and choose “I rent” to see which options suit your home.

Our picks