Guide
How to check your German utility bill (Nebenkostenabrechnung)
If you rent in Germany, your landlord sends a yearly statement of the service charges (Nebenkostenabrechnung or Betriebskostenabrechnung), usually between December and spring and often with a bill to top up. Whether you have to pay comes down to a few rules. Here they are in English, with the German terms you will see on the letter.
The landlord's 12-month deadline
Your landlord must settle your advance payments (Vorauszahlungen) once a year. The statement must reach you within twelve months after the end of the billing period (§ 556 (3) BGB). For the calendar year 2025 that is 31 December 2026. What counts is when it reaches you, not the date printed on it. The billing period itself may be at most twelve months long.
If the statement arrives late
After the deadline the landlord can no longer ask you to pay extra, unless the delay was not their fault, for example a property tax notice the town sent late. A credit (Guthaben) is still yours: the deadline only protects the tenant. If you already paid a late demand, write to the landlord and ask for it back.
Which costs may be passed on
You only pay service charges your tenancy agreement lists (§ 556 (1) BGB), and only from the closed list in § 2 of the Betriebskostenverordnung (BetrKV): property tax, water and sewage, heating and hot water, lift, street cleaning and rubbish, cleaning and pest control, garden, lighting, chimney sweep, building insurance, caretaker, aerial or broadband (restricted), laundry facilities, and other costs only when the contract names them.
Not allowed (§ 1 (2) BetrKV): management costs (Verwaltungskosten), bank charges, and repairs or maintenance (Instandhaltung, Instandsetzung), including reserves for them.
Common errors
- Management fees or repairs, sometimes hidden under caretaker or "other costs".
- Cable TV fees after 30 June 2024. Since then only the electricity to run the system may be passed on (§ 2 no. 15 BetrKV).
- A different floor area than in your contract, or a split that does not match the agreed key. Without another agreement, costs are split by floor area (§ 556a (1) BGB).
- Costs of empty flats spread over the tenants.
- Advance payments missing or deducted wrongly. Check against your bank statements.
- A billing period longer than twelve months.
Your right to see the receipts
You may inspect the invoices, contracts and meter readings behind the statement (Belegeinsicht, § 556 (4) BGB). The landlord must allow it on request and may provide the documents electronically. Ask in writing and name the lines you want to check.
Your own 12-month deadline to object
Objections (Einwendungen) must reach the landlord within twelve months after you received the statement (§ 556 (3) BGB). After that you generally cannot raise errors any more, even if you paid. Object in writing, list each point, and keep proof of delivery. If you pay before it is settled, write that you pay "unter Vorbehalt" (with reservation).
Check yours
The Nebenkosten Check asks for the dates and cost lines, checks the deadlines, flags costs that may not be passed on, recalculates your share and writes the objection letter in German for you. It runs in your browser and uploads nothing.
Questions
When must my Nebenkostenabrechnung arrive?
Within twelve months after the end of the billing period. For the calendar year 2025 that is 31 December 2026.
Do I have to pay if it arrives late?
Usually not. After the deadline the landlord cannot demand extra payment unless the delay was not their fault. Any credit is still paid out to you.
Can my landlord charge management or repair costs?
No. Management costs, bank charges and repairs or maintenance are not service charges under § 1 (2) BetrKV.
How long do I have to object?
Twelve months after you received the statement. Object in writing and keep proof of delivery.
Can I ask to see the receipts?
Yes. Under § 556 (4) BGB the landlord must let you inspect them on request and may send them electronically.
Sources
- § 556 BGB: service charges, deadlines, receipts (German law text)
- § 556a BGB: how service charges are split (German law text)
- § 1 BetrKV: what is not a service charge (German law text)
- § 2 BetrKV: list of service charges (German law text)
This guide reflects the law as of 22 October 2026 and is not legal advice. For larger amounts or a dispute, ask a tenants' association (Mieterverein) or a tenancy lawyer.