What are Nebenkosten?

These utility costs (Nebenkosten) are included in your warm rent:

  • Heating
  • Hot water (most of the time)
  • Trash collection
  • Cleaning and landscaping

You pay the estimated utility costs every month with the rent. Every year, your landlord calculates the real costs, and sends you a bill (the Nebenkostenabrechnung). If you paid too much Nebenkosten, you get money back. If you did not pay enough, you get an invoice.