I have problems with the utility bill, what can I do?
March 8, 2023 | 55,00 EUR | answered by Emma Richter
Dear landlord for tenancy law,
I am contacting you because I am having problems with my utility bill and I do not know how to proceed. My name is Jakob Altmann and I am a tenant in an apartment in a multi-family house. The annual utility bill was sent to me by the landlord and I have noticed that the costs are significantly higher than in previous years.
The situation is that the utility costs in the bill have suddenly increased, even though my consumption behavior has not significantly changed. I have already tried to discuss this with the landlord, but he could not provide me with a plausible explanation. I am concerned that I may have to pay high utility costs unfairly and that my landlord is not calculating them correctly.
My question to you is: What can I do to verify the accuracy of the utility bill and, if necessary, file an objection? Are there any specific deadlines I need to be aware of? What rights do I have as a tenant in this situation and what options do I have to assert my concerns?
I appreciate your help and support in advance.
Sincerely,
Jakob Altmann
Dear Mr. Altmann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your issues with the utility bill statement. It is understandable that you are concerned and worried about your rights as a tenant. I will now explain to you in detail the steps you can take to verify the accuracy of the utility bill statement and, if necessary, file an objection.
First and foremost, it is important to know that the landlord is obligated to prepare the utility bill statement in a transparent and comprehensible manner. This means that he must provide you with all relevant documents and receipts so that you can understand the statement. As a tenant, you have the right to request access to the billing documents to be able to verify the individual items.
If you have doubts about the accuracy of the statement, you can file an objection to the utility bill statement. It is important to do this within a period of 12 months after receiving the statement. The objection should be made in writing and substantiated. You can list specific points in your objection that you believe to be incorrect or incomprehensible.
After you have submitted your objection, the landlord is obligated to review your objections and, if necessary, present a corrected statement. If the landlord does not respond to your objection or cannot provide a comprehensible explanation for the high costs, you have the right as a tenant to have the utility bill statement reviewed by an independent expert. However, you will have to bear the costs for the expert yourself.
In case of a dispute with the landlord regarding the utility bill statement, it is advisable to seek advice from a tenant association or a lawyer specializing in rental law. An expert can help you defend your rights and, if necessary, take legal steps to find a fair solution for both parties.
I hope that my explanations will help you and support you in your situation. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am happy to help.
Sincerely,
Emma Richter
Attorney specializing in rental law
