The operating cost statement can seem confusing and complicated at first glance. However, understanding the statement properly makes it easier to spot potential errors and avoid unnecessary costs. In this blog post, we will guide you step-by-step on how to read your utility bill correctly and highlight the key points you should pay special attention to.
1. Overview of Operating Costs: What Is Included?
Operating costs generally include all ongoing expenses related to living in a property. These are often referred to as “allocable costs” in the statement. Typical items include:
Water costs and sewage fees
Waste disposal costs
Building cleaning and garden maintenance
Building caretaker costs
Electricity for common areas (e.g., for stairwell lighting)
Insurance premiums (e.g., building insurance)
2. Structure of the Operating Cost Statement: The Key Components
The statement should be transparent and easy to understand. A typical structure includes:
- Billing period: Check if the billing period covers one year, as required by law.
- Total costs and allocation key: The total costs for each item are distributed among all tenants of the building. The key factor here is the "allocation key," such as by living space or number of occupants. Make sure that the allocation key used matches the agreements in the rental contract.
- Your individual cost shares: This section shows the portion of the total costs that you, as a tenant, are responsible for.
3. Check the Statement for Common Errors
When reviewing the operating cost statement, you should pay attention to the following points
- Do the details match the rental agreement? Check if all items listed in the statement are specified in the rental contract. Costs that were not agreed upon are generally not your responsibility.
- Correct reading values? For heating and water costs, the readings and the billing period should be accurate and reasonable. Check if the values provided match your own readings.
- Was the correct allocation key used? Check if the costs were fairly distributed among all tenants and if the allocation key used is reasonable.
4. What Deadlines Should Be Observed?
The landlord must provide the operating cost statement within one year after the end of the billing period. Once you have received the statement, you have 12 months to raise any objections. After this period, the statement is considered accepted.
5. What to do in case of discrepancies?
Sollten Sie Unklarheiten oder Fehler in der Abrechnung feststellen, gehen Sie wie folgt vor:
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First, check your readings and the rental agreement: Many ambiguities can be resolved quickly this way.
- Contact the landlord or property management: Put your questions in writing and request a detailed explanation.
Understand instead of despairing
An operating cost statement doesn’t have to be complicated. With some basic knowledge and a careful look, you can quickly understand your statement and spot any errors. If questions do arise, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. As property managers in Vienna, we are always here for you and happy to help!