Charging Electricity Claims: Tenants in Germany

Many tenants in Germany live in shared flats and wonder how charging electricity for electric cars should be billed and reimbursed correctly. This guide explains in plain language the role of the rental contract, recordkeeping and service charge accounting, which legal bases apply and how you as a tenant or flatmate can safely assert reimbursements. I describe practical steps for documenting meter readings, coordinating with flatmates and communicating with the landlord and competent courts so you can represent your claims clearly and legally.

What applies to charging electricity in shared flats?

Whether charging electricity is part of the operating costs or must be billed individually depends first on the rental agreement and the specific arrangement. Relevant legal bases can be found in the BGB and the Operating Costs Regulation.^[1][2] If landlord and tenants agree, a flat-rate allocation or consumption-based billing can be agreed. If no regulation exists, the person who uses the electricity should pay and be able to prove it.

Practical: receipts, meters and billing

Practically, you should pay attention to the following points to enforce reimbursements within a shared flat or to bill correctly:

• Photograph meter readings regularly and note timestamps.
• Make a written agreement between flatmates and the landlord on billing.
• Collect receipts for electricity costs: invoices, charging logs, charging point billing.
• Keep a usage log (date, time, kWh) to allocate trips and costs.

If the landlord refuses reimbursement

If the landlord refuses reimbursement, first check your entitlement to reimbursement in writing and request a detailed invoice. Present your receipts and offer a comprehensible breakdown. If the landlord does not respond, tenant-law steps up to filing a claim at the local court can be considered; appeals may later be decided by higher courts such as the BGH.^[3]

How-To

1. Check the rental contract and any existing agreements on electricity or operating cost billing.
2. Document consumption: photos of meter readings, charging logs and collect all invoices.
3. Establish a written internal billing or reimbursement agreement within the shared flat.
4. If necessary, contact the local court (Amtsgericht) to enforce your claim; prepare evidence and a short chronology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for charging electricity in a shared flat?

Generally, the person who uses the electricity pays. Ideally, flatmates and the landlord arrange billing contractually; otherwise consumption must be proven.

Can operating costs include charging electricity?

Only if it is stated in the rental contract or an additional agreement and the cost ordinance covers the item; otherwise separate billing is common.^[2]

What evidence is important in a dispute?

Photos of meter readings, charging logs, invoices, written agreements and a usage log are crucial.

Help and Support / Resources

• [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) — gesetze-im-internet.de
• [2] Betriebskostenverordnung (BetrKV) — gesetze-im-internet.de
• [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) — bundesgerichtshof.de

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) — gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Betriebskostenverordnung (BetrKV) — gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) — bundesgerichtshof.de