The annual service charge statement is a challenge for many landlords - and often a point of contention for tenants. Those who prepare the statement correctly and comprehensibly can avoid conflicts and stay on the safe side legally.
Which costs may be allocated?
In principle, only so-called "apportionable operating costs" may be billed. These include, among other things:
Water, heating, waste collection
Building cleaning and janitor services
Property tax and building insurance
Management costs or repairs, on the other hand, are not included and must be borne by the owner.
What belongs in the invoice?
The statement must contain a list of all operating costs incurred that are allocated to the respective tenant. It must state how the costs were allocated - for example, according to living space or consumption. The period covered by the statement must also be specified (maximum 12 months).
Adhere to deadlines
Landlords have twelve months after the end of the billing period to deliver the statement. After this period, any subsequent claims may no longer be asserted - unless the landlord has been prevented from submitting the statement on time through no fault of his own.
Conclusion
A transparent and legally compliant service charge statement protects landlords from disputes and legal disputes. Regular billing and careful documentation of all receipts saves time, hassle - and often money.
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