Landlord pays heat - lock the thermostat?

[Rob K.]

I looked at a sixteen unit multi family today. It consists of two buildings. There are a total of three gas boilers for heat. The landlord pays heat and water, but each apartment has it's own electric meter and then there is another meter for common areas.

When I went into one of the apartments, it was super hot in there. (Why not? Someone else is paying th bill.) I looked at the thermostat and it was set at 78. I saw that another unit had the windows open a little bit and it was 20 degrees out!

There would be no easy way to seperate the heat and the boilers are all less than two years old.

I've seen those covers that go over the thermostat and lock. Do any of you multi family owners use these? If so, what do you set the heat at? Is it legal to do so?

I like not paying utilities on my single families, but I'm looking to expand. I just hate the thought of having massive gas bills.

Any advice would be appreciated.