Utility costs
Utilities
Regarding rent, we distinguish between amounts excluding and including utility bills. The bills amount to approximately 10% of the rent and include:
- water
- hot water
- heating
- sewage water
- gardening services, depending on the contract
- swimming pool, depending on the contract (can be quite high)
Some bills, such as water and heating, are variable and will be invoiced on-account. This means you pay a fixed amount every month based on an estimate. At the end of the calculated period (12 months), you will receive a final bill that is based on your actual usage. You may have to pay an additional amount or will be refunded any payments in excess of usage. Cable TV, caretaker services and, if applicable, lift maintenance are all fixed utility costs.
Neither electricity nor the TV/radio licence fees (collected by a company called „Serafe“) are automatically included in the utility bills. For electricity, you need to register with the relevant energy company, and your subscription with Serafe will be effected when you register with the local authorities.