Owners and tenants: when the rising energy costs will reach the consumer
Created: 08/24/2022, 17:05
By: Patrick Mayer
In focus: The energy and heating costs in Germany due to inflation and the Russia-Ukraine war.
© IMAGO / perspective
Gas and heating prices in Germany will increase in autumn and winter.
Owners, landlords, tenants - who has to reckon with the high costs and when.
Munich/Berlin - "Put money aside and save energy." That's what Udo Sieverding, the energy expert at the consumer center in North Rhine-Westphalia, advises
before the next utility bill, according to
Spiegel .
The news magazine writes that Sieverding considers it possible that the deductions will be increased three to four times with the next billing.
Owners, landlords, tenants: Who has to calculate the ancillary costs for gas and when?
Which is why some consumers in Germany are considering switching to heating with wood - which poses hurdles.
The shortage of skilled workers in Germany, for example, complicates the situation enormously.
Many owners and landlords will simply no longer be able to switch to other heating systems, for example with logs or pellets, because there are not enough craftsmen.
In many cases, only coal and gas remain.
Owners, landlords, tenants - who has to reckon with the ancillary costs and when?
In other words: who will be affected by the galloping costs on the energy market due to inflation and the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war and when?
Merkur.de provides an overview.
Gas bill: When owners and/or landlords have to pay the utility
When do owners and/or landlords have to pay the utility?
If you own a house or an apartment that belongs to you, it first depends on whether you are in the basic supply or have concluded a so-called special contract with an energy company.
This means that as long as you do not take action yourself, for example comparing electricity and gas providers, you are automatically a customer of the basic service.
For example, they then supply municipal utilities with electricity and gas - and bill you for this.
The prices for basic services are generally high - regardless of the current inflation.
And: The gas price can be increased with a period of six weeks.
"Invoices and deductions are due at the time specified by the default supplier, but no earlier than two weeks after receipt of the payment request," says the Basic Electricity Supply Ordinance (StromGVV), Paragraph 17 Provisions of the contract," explains the Federal Network Agency, meanwhile, on special contracts from so-called special customers.
Ergo: The time for the regular transfer is contractually fixed, and it is not uncommon for advance payments to be made.
In the case of energy supply contracts outside of the basic supply, the payment due date depends on the special provisions of the contract.
Federal Network Agency on special contracts
also read
Heating with wood: the alternative to gas?
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Sparkasse initiates change – customers are given a choice
Caution: Initial contract terms often do not provide for a right of termination within the first 24 months for special contracts.
If long-term contracts with a price guarantee are concluded, price increases are not easily possible for the provider.
But: The gas surcharge decided by the traffic light federal government made up of SPD, Greens and FDP to relieve the suppliers is an exception to this.
The costs should be passed on directly to consumers, confirmed Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
Gas bill: when landlords can pass on the additional energy costs to the tenants
When can landlords pass on the energy costs to the tenants?
It
The following applies: the additional costs must initially be borne by those who have concluded the contract with the energy supplier.
In the case of gas for heating and hot water, this is usually the landlord, while the electricity supply is often excluded from the lease and is managed by the tenants themselves.
In the case of central heating in an apartment building, the landlord, who has to pass on the costs, pays first, depending on the consumption of individual apartments or their share of square meters in the entire building.
According to the Operating Costs Ordinance (BetrKV) laid down in the German Civil Code (BGB), the landlord must prepare an ancillary cost statement once a year if the tenant makes monthly advance payments.
In the video: Traffic light government reduces VAT on gas consumption
Gas bill: when tenants need to know about utility bills
When do tenants have to reckon with the utility bill?
According to the German Civil Code, the landlord has one year to issue the utility bill.
Example: The landlord must prepare the ancillary cost statement for the 2022 calendar year by December 31, 2023; the earliest he or she can invoice the ancillary costs that exceed advance payments is January 1 of the following year.
Which in turn depends on when he or she receives the last bill from the utility for the previous calendar year.
The law also regulates: If a landlord does not meet this one-year deadline, he or she is then no longer entitled to any additional payments.
For many tenants, the higher costs only have an effect when the ancillary costs are settled.
Then, if the additional payment is due from the beginning of the new calendar year.
Which in turn depends entirely on the landlord and landlady.
The German Tenants' Association therefore advises voluntarily agreeing higher advance payments with the landlord.
So that the rude awakening is not quite so violent.
(pm)
