Caretaker costs in the utility bill: what can be allocated

Caretaker costs may be allocated as operating costs, but only for ongoing activities such as care and small inspections. Administration and repair costs are not among them. If they are billed in hidden form, you pay items that the landlord must bear themselves.

Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:

Challenge the statement →

Your chances of getting your money back

Only the types of cost listed in the Operating Costs Ordinance are allocable. Administration costs and maintenance or repair are not among them and may not be allocated to you.

If the caretaker also performs repairs or administration, these shares must be deducted. If this separation is missing, you can challenge the item.

What you should do now

1
1. Have the item broken down
Demand a breakdown of which activities are billed under 'caretaker'.
2
2. Look for non-allocable shares
Repairs, restoration and administration are not allocable; these shares must be deducted.
3
3. Inspect the documents
You have the right to inspect the original documents and contracts. This lets you recognize double billing (e.g. caretaker plus a separate gardening company).
4
4. Challenge in writing
Challenge wrongly allocated items within the 12-month deadline and demand a corrected statement.

How to spot the scam

The caretaker item obviously contains repairs.
Gardening or stairwell cleaning is billed additionally AND within the caretaker item.
Administration costs appear as a separate allocation.

Frequently asked questions

Are caretaker costs allocable?

Yes, but only for ongoing operational activities such as care, inspection and smaller work. Repairs, restoration and administrative tasks are not among them and must be deducted.

How do I recognize double billing?

When services such as gardening or cleaning are included both as a separate item and within the caretaker item. With inspection of the documents this can be uncovered.

What can I do about wrong items?

Challenge them in writing within 12 months of receipt, demand inspection of the documents and a corrected statement. You can reclaim amounts paid wrongly.

Take action now

We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.

Challenge the statement Check a suspicious message

More help: Emergency by phone · Act together · Right to a lawyer · All guides

General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.