I rent my home in Iceland: who pays for energy and how do I check the service charges?
As a tenant you either have your own energy contract or you pay energy through the rent or service charges. The rules on shared meters and yearly statements protect you.
📜 The rules in Iceland
Energy costs for tenants
Unless the lease clearly says otherwise, the tenant pays water, electricity and heating costs in the rented home. The landlord pays property taxes, insurance and meter rental fees charged by the utilities (Rental Act no. 36/1994).
- Disputes between tenant and landlord, for example about costs or rent increases, can be taken to Kærunefnd húsamála. (island.is)
🪜 Step by step
- Find out how you payYour own contract with a supplier, or energy through the landlord? Your tenancy agreement says so.
- Ask for the statementIf the landlord charges energy or heating, ask for the yearly statement and how your share is worked out.
- Check the rules for IcelandSee below what landlords must do on meters, cost splitting and statements.
- Dispute in writingWrite to the landlord with your questions. If there is no solution, go to the body named below.
📇 Who to contact
❓ Questions
Can I choose my own supplier as a tenant?
If you have your own meter and contract, usually yes. If energy is in the rent, the landlord chooses.
How is heating split between flats?
Often by individual meters or heat cost allocators plus a fixed share. The rules for Iceland are on this page.
Can the landlord cut my energy?
A landlord may not simply cut your supply. Contact the body named on this page.
📎 Sources
🧭 Is this still correct?
We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.
⚠️ Readers report that something here may have changed — we are checking it.
✅ Thank you — this keeps the page up to date for everyone.