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Emergency

Checking the utility bill: your right to inspect the documents

A utility bill with a high back-payment is not something you should pay blindly. You have the right to inspect the documents on which the statement is based, and can thereby uncover errors.

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Your chances of getting your money back

As a tenant you have a right to inspect the documents underlying the operating-cost statement (invoices, contracts, meter readings). The landlord must allow you access, as a rule on his premises; alternatively he can send copies against reimbursement of costs.
As long as access to the documents is wrongly refused, you can generally withhold a demanded back-payment (right of retention). But mind the deadline within which you can object to the statement.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Check the statement

    Go through the statement: are the allocation key, items and amounts plausible?

  2. 2

    2. Demand access

    Demand access to the documents in writing (or copies against costs).

  3. 3

    3. Withhold the back-payment

    Until access is granted, you can retain a disputed back-payment.

  4. 4

    4. Mind the deadlines

    Raise objections to the statement within the statutory deadline.

Frequently asked questions

May I inspect the documents for the utility bill?

Yes. As a tenant you have a right to inspect the documents underlying the statement, such as invoices, contracts and meter readings. The landlord must allow you access, as a rule on his premises. On request he can also provide you with copies against reimbursement of the costs.

Can I withhold the back-payment until I have seen the documents?

As a rule yes. If the landlord wrongly refuses access to the documents, you have a right of retention over the demanded back-payment until access is granted to you. But make sure to raise any objections to the statement within the deadline so that you do not lose your rights.

Take action now

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

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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.