Check Heating Bill for Tenants in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, you have the right to understand and check your heating bill. This guide explains clearly which items are typical, which documents you may request and how to spot errors. You will get practical checkpoints, a clear sample letter to request billing documents and advice on when to reduce advance payments or reclaim overcharges. The information is based on the relevant legal foundations and shows how to act factually toward the landlord and which authorities or courts are responsible in case of a dispute.

What is included in the heating bill?

A heating bill usually contains the total heating costs, consumption and distribution keys, and information on advance payments. First check the billing period, the distribution method (central/distributed) and whether consumption meters are correctly considered. Legal bases for landlord duties and billing are found in the BGB and the Heating Cost Ordinance.^[1]

What tenants should check first

• Check deadline and billing period (the bill must usually be issued within 12 months).
• Compare advance payments with the amounts charged.
• Verify consumption values: do meter readings match your records?
• Request documents: billing must disclose invoices and contracts underlying the statement.
• Watch for unusual distribution keys or flat-rate items that cause high costs.

Sample letter: Request billing documents

If details are unclear, you can request the following documents by letter (registered mail recommended): complete invoices from the supplier, maintenance contracts, meter reading records and the distribution key. Use this short sample letter as a template:

Dear Sir or Madam, please send me within 14 days the complete documents for the heating bill for the billing period [YYYY]. Specifically, I request the supplier invoices, meter reading protocols, the applied distribution key and all relevant maintenance contracts. Sincerely, [Your Name]

If the landlord does not respond or documents are missing

If the landlord does not respond, send a reminder with a new deadline and indicate that you may involve the responsible authorities or the local court. In many cases a legal review is enough, in others an action for inspection before the local court is necessary. Local courts (Amtsgericht) are competent for tenancy disputes.^[2]

Practical checkpoints (quick check)

• Do billing period and invoice totals match previous years?
• Are all flat-rate items explained and justified?
• Were meters read correctly or were estimates used?
• Are costs for maintenance or replacement transparently allocated?

FAQ

How long do I have to check the bill?

You should check it immediately; the bill is generally time-barred if the landlord does not prepare it within 12 months after the billing period ends. If in doubt, ask and consider legal review.

Which documents can I request?

You can request supplier invoices, meter reading records, maintenance contracts and the applied distribution key. Without these documents, meaningful checking is difficult.

What if I find errors?

File a formal objection by letter requesting correction or reimbursement. If the landlord maintains the bill, you can seek inspection or payment before the local court.

How-To

1. Check the deadline and billing period and note the date (within 12 months).
2. Compare charged amounts with your payment records and previous bills.
3. Request documents in writing if something is unclear (e.g. invoices, meter logs).
4. If there is no response, contact the local court or an advisory service and prepare your documentation.
5. If necessary, have the claim legally reviewed or file a complaint (local court jurisdiction).

Help and Support

• Gesetze im Internet — official legal texts
• Federal Court of Justice — decisions and guidance
• Heating Cost Ordinance (HeizKV) — text

1. [1] Gesetze im Internet – BGB §§ 535–580a
2. [2] Gesetze im Internet – Heizkostenverordnung (HeizKV)
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof – Court decisions