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Electricity & gas · Germany
Checked 2026-09-30

🔑 I rent my home in Germany: who pays for energy and how do I check the service charges?

The short answer

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 Germany

Energy costs for tenants

With central heating, the landlord must split 50–70% of heating costs by measured use (§ 7 HeizkostenV). The yearly service-charge statement must reach you within 12 months after the billing period; later, back payments are usually excluded.

  • In older, poorly insulated buildings heated by oil or gas with insulated pipes, 70% must be split by use. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • If heating costs are not billed by use as required, you may cut your share by 15%. If remote-readable meters or required information are missing, by 3%. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • Objections to the statement must reach the landlord within 12 months after you receive it. (gesetze-im-internet.de)
  • You may choose your own electricity supplier. Tenant electricity from rooftop solar (Mieterstrom) may cost at most 90% of the local default-supply tariff; first term max. two years, then max. one month's notice. (bundesnetzagentur.de)
Official source: gesetze-im-internet.de · Checked 2026-09-30

🪜 Step by step

  1. Find out how you payYour own contract with a supplier, or energy through the landlord? Your tenancy agreement says so.
  2. Ask for the statementIf the landlord charges energy or heating, ask for the yearly statement and how your share is worked out.
  3. Check the rules for GermanySee below what landlords must do on meters, cost splitting and statements.
  4. Dispute in writingWrite to the landlord with your questions. If there is no solution, go to the body named below.

📇 Who to contact

VerbraucherzentralenIndependent advice for consumersFor advice, template letters and a second opinion🔗 www.verbraucherzentrale.de

❓ 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 Germany 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

Checked: 2026-09-30

🧭 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.

🔗 Also useful

🌡️District heating, oil and LPG→📦Moving house→🧾Wrong or high bill→🔄Switching supplier→📈Price increase→

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