The additional costs

The additional costs

The additional costs are actually almost a second rent. In addition to the net rent, these are charged in order to prepay the ongoing operating costs. This means that the running costs are paid to the landlord every month as a deduction from the rent. The additional costs essentially consist of: property tax, costs for (hot) water supply and drainage, heating costs, cleaning costs (garbage, building, garden), lighting and insurance.

At times, the costs are set too low when the contract is concluded, which can lead to sudden facial derailments and states of shock at the beginning of the following year, when several hundred euros suddenly have to be paid in the final bill.

So what should you pay attention to?

The German Tenants' Association states that the current average value for calculating additional costs is 2.20 euros per square meter per month (operating cost index 2011).

The landlord is required by law to charge additional costs “at an appropriate amount”. (§ 556 BGB) This legal regulation protects the tenant from paying additional costs that are too high - but not from paying additional costs that are too low.

TIP:

Here it is important to take precautions yourself. Once the utility bill arrives in the mailbox, it must be paid within 14 days - unless an objection is lodged. A small preventive measure can be the household or shared apartment fund. If you (or each roommate) pay a certain amount into your household budget each month, you will have already saved money by the time you get your first utility bill, which no longer needs to be found quickly at the end.

The additional costs are charged in addition to the net rent in order to prepay the ongoing operating costs (property tax, (hot) water supply, heating costs,...).