ᐅ Utility Costs Settlement – How Should the Statement Be Prepared?

I’m not sure if this is even allowed. The laws clearly define which costs must be billed as additional costs and according to which allocation key. Regarding the heating cost allocation, I found the following: “Otherwise, the Heating Costs Ordinance always applies. According to it, the landlord must allocate at least 50 percent but no more than 70 percent of the heating and hot water costs based on consumption.”

Nordlys schrieb:
We include costs like chimney sweeping, snow removal, and heating system maintenance in the rent. Also property taxes and insurance. This makes the rent a bit higher, but these expenses are simply part of the house or apartment. They are fixed costs.

That’s a misconception… Insurance premiums can increase, and property taxes can be recalculated. Therefore, these costs are part of the additional charges (operating costs) and are billed separately. Anything that can be charged according to the operating cost regulations should ideally not be included in the base rent, but rather in the additional charges.

If you communicate this clearly with your tenant, it works. They also appreciate it when, similar to an all-inclusive hotel, there are no unpleasant surprises at the end and the utility bill is brief, simple, and easy to understand.

Nordlys schrieb:
Although I find the last sentence unfair, the one about the 30% regarding basic heating costs.

The background is that in a multi-family building, the required heating load per apartment is not the same. Those living in the corner units at the top need to heat more (for the same comfort) than those living inside on the lower floors. And everyone somehow also heats the stairwell. Therefore, part of the heating costs are distributed proportionally based on the living area, while the other part is charged according to individual consumption (heat meters or evaporation tubes). This system is reasonable.

@Marchonisch I also recommend contacting the local tenants' association or landlord-tenant advisory service. Otherwise: Have you never been a tenant yourself? Have you never received and checked a utility bill? That's basically how you learn this...