Utility bills: deadlines, frustrations and tenants' rights!

Utility bills: deadlines, frustrations and tenants' rights!

When it comes to utility bills, there is sometimes confusion. Renters should take a look at the deadlines now before the year ends. As the information from Nord24 shows, the utility bill has an important deadline to note: it must be received by the tenant no later than twelve months after the end of the billing period. This not only ensures clarity, but also protects the interests of the tenants, because if the deadline is missed, additional demands from the landlord are ineffective according to Section 556 of the German Civil Code (BGB).

This means that tenants must have a statement for the 2024 calendar year by December 31, 2025. This one-year period is intended to provide security and does not restart in the event of incorrect or incomplete statements. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has already made it clear in several judgments that invoices submitted late are no longer valid. For example, in a case in which a tenant demanded back overpaid additional costs because the bill did not arrive on time, according to deutschesmietrecht.de.

Rights and obligations of tenants

There are some important rights for tenants to know. You have 30 days to check the utility bill and make additional payments if necessary. If the invoice was delivered late, the landlord cannot enforce an additional claim unless the delay was not his own fault. This can be illustrated with a simple example: If a landlord does not fulfill his obligation on time, he loses the right to additional payment, even if the billing was correct. In another BGH ruling, it was decided that tenants only have to pay the additional payment amount that was originally calculated, regardless of any later corrections.

Tenants have the right to request access to the original receipts. If there is insufficient time to check the utility bill, payments can also be made with reservations. However, it is important that objections to the billing are raised within the twelve month period, otherwise it will be considered correct. Anyone who misses the deadline will be left empty-handed and will no longer be able to assert their claims.

Tip for landlords and tenants

The following applies to landlords: It is advisable to send the utility bill as early as possible to avoid postal delays. Timely billing helps clarify misunderstandings and minimize potential disputes. The regulation is also important in the rental agreement, because the monthly advance payments for additional costs require annual billing.
A small note: If a billing does not end at the end of the month, the objection period runs until the end of the last month of the billing period.

Tenants who feel unsafe or have questions about subsequent billing should inform themselves immediately and, if in doubt, seek legal advice. Because, as we know, there really is something going on!