The number of those wishing to move to Germany, rent or buy real estate there is large. Every migrant needs to know what rental costs await him in a European country. Let's take a look at what is included in utilities in Germany in 2021 and how to pay bills for the benefits provided in order to feel comfortable and confident, live warmly and comfortably all year round.
The main components of payment
In Europe, there is no rent in the Russian sense. Utilities provided to the population in Germany are conditionally divided into three groups.
The first group includes payments for house management services - a private management company that maintains residential buildings. The responsibilities of house management include providing residents with utilities, collecting payments, carrying out major and current repairs of the building, as well as public places. The cost of house management services for Germans costs an average of 60 to 100 euros.
The second group - directly utilities: water supply, heating, gas, garbage disposal. Residents are paid once a year, according to the principle of prepayment, the amount of which is determined according to the indicators of the previous year. At the end of each year, a recalculation is made in accordance with the meter readings: if you paid more than you used, then the money will be returned to you, if less, you will have to pay extra.
Unpaid services may be invoiced by the end of next year. That is, the recalculation for 2021 can be sent until 31.12. 2021.
On average, the cost of a communal apartment in Germany per square meter is 4-5 euros.
In addition, money is regularly donated to the cashier at home. According to the decision of the tenants, the managers of the house spend these deductions on capital needs: repair of facades, replacement of elevators, creation of playgrounds.
The cost of general housing services is distributed equally, regardless of family composition, age, employment. And these expenses amount to an average of 30-50 euros per month.
Germans pay for electricity separately. Electricity is not included in the standard services. There are a huge number of electricity suppliers in Germany and you can choose more favorable services and tariffs yourself.
Who is responsible for what
In Germany, private service companies are responsible for the state of the housing and communal services structure. They are tightly controlled by the state. To attract consumers, service providers hold promotions like in supermarkets: for example, by connecting to a holiday, you get a discount on garbage collection at a reduced fixed rate for a long time.
The state also controls the financial activities of utility companies in Germany. Indexation of tariffs is carried out annually so that companies do not go head-to-head. The audit is carried out by independent firms, and any consumer can get acquainted with its results on a special web resource.
Average cost of utilities in Germany
The expense item for every happy owner of real estate in German lands is impressive. The main categories of utility bills in Germany are:
| Land tax | On average 70-150 euros per year for a two-room apartment. Depends on the total assessed value of the property, the rate of measurement of land tax and the tax rate of a particular commune |
|---|---|
| Household expenses | 60-100 euros per month |
| Management company services | 30-50 euros per month |
| Contributions to the accumulation fund | 15 euros per sq. m per month. (for a building in good condition, not requiring repair) |
| Electricity | on average 0.30 euros per kWh (tariffs for 2017) |
| Water supply | 0.30-0.50 euros per cubic meter m |
| Gas | 5 euros per cubic meter m |
| Heating | up to 70 euros during the cold season |
| Garbage removal | 10-25 euros per month |
| Phone and Internet | 25 euros per month |
| Collection for radio and television broadcasting | € 17.50 per month |
We will find out how much a communal apartment costs in Germany by calculating the costs of basic services. The average rent for a two-room apartment will be 300 euros.
How much does electricity cost
The average cost of electricity in Germany is 30 eurocents. A family of three consumes an average of 2500 kWh per year. Multiplying, we get 750 euros. The cost depends on the region, so the average light fee is 750-850 euros per year.
For a migrant who does not understand the intricacies of current consumption in Germany, the amount of the rent will be higher. After renting a home, it is necessary to choose an electricity tariff even before moving and sign a contract from the moment of the planned entry. Otherwise, the tariff will be selected automatically, by default, which is one and a half to two times more expensive. It is also very important to choose a lucrative contract, periodically change the provider, save light, for example, watch less TV channels or use electrical appliances that consume a lot of electricity.
Calculation of tariffs
The electricity tariff consists of two indicators: the price per kilowatt per hour and a fixed delivery charge. The state obliges suppliers to offer tariffs for the population with a price that depends on the time of day. In the evening and in the morning, when consumption reaches its peak, it is more expensive. During the day - average. Cheaper at night.
Most hope to save money when the price is cheaper. Not everyone succeeds in this: the night schedule of washing dishes and washing is not very convenient. Therefore, the consumer is offered various bonuses for signing a contract, which significantly affects the amount of the rent.
The price per kilowatt per hour is fixed (1-12 months). In Germany, the cost of electricity rises after the expiration of the contract. The provider sends a notification about the new price. When the cost increases, the consumer has the right to choose a new supplier. But before giving up the services of the current company, it is better to check and compare the prices for tariffs on the CHECK24.com website. registracia
Gas price in Germany
Residents of Germany pay not so much for gas as for the connection and operation of the gas network. On average, Germans pay 1200 euros per year for 20,000 kW / h.
The final price of gas in Germany for 1 cubic meter for the population depends on the region: on average 5 cents.
Depending on the supplier, bills can come in one of two quantities - kW / h (kilowatt-hour) and less often - m3 (cubic meter). The conversion formula is simple: 1 kW / h = 1 m3.
Tariffs
To select a gas tariff in Germany, you need to know the postcode, the approximate annual consumption and the heat output of the installation. And here the main question is how much fuel is needed for a year. Consumption is not easy to calculate, it includes:
- the number of people living in the house;
- housing area;
- temperature indicators in the cold season in the region;
- the quality of thermal insulation;
- personal habits regarding space heating and ventilation.
You can choose gas tariffs on the CHECK24.com website. You will receive a large list of offers with a detailed description of the tariff.
The cost of the annual tariff consists of two indicators:
- base delivery charge - regardless of how much fuel is spent;
- price for 1 kW / h according to meter readings.
Indicators are read from the meter at the beginning of the contract, and then at the end of the year. The consumer pays a fixed advance monthly. At the end of the annual contract, a recalculation is made according to the actual readings of the customer's meter.
Gas suppliers to the population also compete, luring customers with bonuses. The price of gas in Germany for 1 cubic meter is reduced by 15-20% in the first year of signing the contract, subject to the extension of the relationship. Therefore, you should not forget to close the contract on time after the second term. And if you do not send a written notification, the contract is automatically renewed on new terms, but without any bonuses.
The German people are renowned for their ingenuity and economy. In Germany, they figured out how to automatically monitor the situation on the market of utility providers by creating a website WECHSELPILOT.com: it terminates contracts automatically if it finds better offers. To do this, just register and fill out a form with contact details. German developers will take 20% of the difference between the current and new tariffs as payment.
Is it possible not to pay
You were not in the country, payment was overdue, debt was accumulated. It is worth noting that debtors for utilities in Germany are often punished. In Europe, the practice of cutting off water and electricity is widespread, and fines for the population are significant. Moreover, it is enough to delay the payment by only a few days.
Therefore, pay for services on time, use online payment (it works in all EU countries) by connecting the servant to a credit card. Otherwise, upon arrival home, unpleasant surprises in the form of blackouts are guaranteed. In European countries, there is an automatic payment: every month the required amount is debited from your account. It is very convenient.
Summary
Communal services in Germany are not cheap. The rent of 300 euros per month is much more than the amount of rent in the CIS countries. But it should be borne in mind that the communal services provided to the population in Germany are of European quality. Here water can be drunk from the tap and there is no need to be afraid of a sudden shutdown of the light. As for the post office in Germany, we suggest reading this article.
