Force landlord to turn on heating?

Questioner

We were subtenants of an independent home. The main tenant left after a fight and now we are the main tenant. The landlord does not agree with that and so he has turned off the heating and we are in the cold. There are no payment arrears. He wants us out. We have been living there for over 13 years.

Lawyer

If you were a subtenant, you cannot simply become the main tenant. This is only possible if the landlord agrees or a judge determines this. It is important to know that a landlord cannot simply cut off the heating. This can be seen as illegal eviction, since keeping a home habitable is a basic obligation of a landlord. You also describe that there are no payment arrears, this makes the situation stronger. My advice is to first try to resolve the situation peacefully and to enter into discussions with the landlord. This can be done with the help of a mediator. If this does not work or if the landlord does not cooperate, legal proceedings may be necessary. You have the right to live in a decent manner and if you can prove that you are not being granted this right, the court can order the landlord to stop turning off the heating. In this situation, it is wise to contact a lawyer or attorney who specializes in tenancy law. They can help you take the right steps and protect your rights.--------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer I would like to invite you to rate the above answer so that we can learn from your response.