Landlord puts lock box on thermostat. Then the tenant outsmarts them: ‘Take THAT landlord’

​Having a controlling landlord is the bane of many renters' existence. Whether it be having arguments about security deposits, begging for repairs, or requesting more control over one's space, many renters have experienced the vitriol that comes with managing landlord-tenant relations.

One tenant, however, decided to take matters into their own hands. A Rental Notice company, Ailixy (@getailixy), posted a video that received more than 28.1 million views. In the video, a presumed tenant appeared to use a small, adjustable wrench to reach inside a plastic lockbox, which was limiting access to a thermostat. The wrench, which was small enough to fit inside a hole at the bottom of the lockbox, was able to reach individual buttons on the thermostat to adjust the temperature.

The on-screen text of the video pointed out who apparently locked up the thermostat. “Take THAT, landlord,” it said. It's unclear where Ailixy received the video. The company geo-tagged the post with a location—New York City—although no other content creator is credited in the caption.

“The landlord locks the thermostat… but the tenant finds a way,” the caption said.

Wait, is that legal?

Removing a tenant's access to a thermostat is technically legal in some areas of the United States, although enforcement of that rule depends on the civil codes and individual legal doctrine.

On Quora, an answer thread says that legality depends on a number of factors, including the lease, the area, the lockbox and how it affects habitability, and the tenants' right to modify the temperature for their health and safety.

The thread notes that most landlords have to maintain minimum and maximum temperatures within their units to maintain legal habitability.

Chad D. Cummings, a lawyer who works at Cummings & Cummings Law, told Realtor.com that “Deliberately disabling access to essential services such as heat and hot water may violate a landlord's duty to provide a habitable living environment.”

But many landlords include clauses that limit temperature adjustment, especially at multi-unit properties.

What is the best next step if a landlord locks up a thermostat?

The first thing a tenant should do is take a gander at their lease for any specific verbiage regarding thermostats and temperature control. That way, they're aware of any specific clauses regarding temperature adjustments.

Then, they should compile evidence for a written request for a temperature change. It's worth documenting all issues related to temperature control, and any instances where the temperature inside the tenant's dwelling doesn't meet their city or state's habitability standard. A quick Google search can reveal whether there are any specific mandates controlling temperature within a home.

In Los Angeles County, for instance, rental providers have to “maintain 82 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler for all ‘Habitable' rooms in all rental units.” Additionally, tenants have the right to install additional cooling units, as long as the installation doesn't disrupt the overall rental unit.

New York City recently passed Intro 994, which will require landlords to provide cooling systems that are capable of maintaining temperatures of 78 degrees in tenants' bedrooms by June 1, 2030. While the legislation is not in full effect, it does mark an important change for New York City tenants.

Cummings recommends tenants be as specific and concrete as possible when requesting a solution. But if that doesn't work, the tenant can contact “'local code enforcement or consult with an attorney experienced in landlord–tenant law' to seek further action.”

Buzz News reached out to Ailixy via contact form for comment.