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Apartments in Berlin: New round of prices expected
Photo: Wolfgang Kumm/DPA
The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, wants to increase the pressure on private households and companies to save gas.
“Tenancy law stipulates that the landlord must adjust the heating system during the heating period so that a minimum temperature of between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius is reached.
The state could temporarily lower the requirements for landlords.
We are discussing this with politicians," said Müller of the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post".
It is important to save as much gas as possible to get through the next winter.
Companies, on the other hand, should be encouraged to save gas with bonuses: »We want to establish mechanisms to reward companies that voluntarily give up gas quotas with a bonus.
It's always better when adjustments are made through prices than through dirigiste specifications," Müller continues.
Permanent relief required
According to the head of the Netzagentur, there is no end in sight to the price increases: “Gas prices for private households have already multiplied compared to the pre-war period.
Tenants can be in for a nasty surprise when high back payments are due.
That can quickly be more than a thousand euros, shock waves will go through the country.
Banks will ramp up their business with installment loans, ailing companies are threatened with bankruptcy.«
According to information from consumer protection groups and the tenants' association, energy suppliers are already passing on the sharply increased costs to consumers.
"Many customers are currently experiencing enormous price increases for oil, gas and electricity," said Melanie Weber-Moritz, federal director of the German Tenants' Association, of the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung".
Whether discounts or tariffs - households are currently facing a new wave of price increases, said Udo Sieverding from the consumer advice center in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The bills of some municipal utilities would sometimes be 100 percent or more higher.
"In our opinion, not a few providers achieve free-rider effects," said Sieverding.
He called on the antitrust authorities to investigate utilities "to send signals to the industry to keep price increases moderate".
In addition, politicians must initiate additional relief.
The tenants' association also called for additional help from politicians.
"Instead of one-off payments, we need permanent relief for heating costs, at least for the time of the energy crisis," said Weber-Moritz.
"In addition, it must be ensured that tenants cannot be given notice if they cannot pay their high additional payment within 30 days of receipt of the utility bill." to obtain comparative offers, i.e. to look for the cheapest suppliers of gas or heating oil.
mik/dpa-AFX