Additional Costs

Additional costs refer to the extra charges that landlords impose on tenants to cover the ongoing expenses of the property. These can include heating, water, garbage collection, and maintenance services. For example, if the rent is 800 euros, the additional costs might be another 200 euros, making the total payment 1000 euros.

Practical relevance: It’s important for tenants to understand additional costs as they can significantly impact monthly budgets. Tenants have the right to a transparent breakdown of these costs, which should be provided annually (§ 556 BGB). Common mistakes include not reviewing the cost breakdown or missing deadlines for objections.

Related documents on DokBrief:

• Widerspruch Betriebskostenabrechnung — Guide to contesting additional cost statements.