Service charges

The case tenants win most often.

On top of the base rent, many tenants pay monthly advances for service costs: energy for common areas, cleaning, a caretaker, furniture. The rules are strict, the practice is sloppy, and that is exactly why tenants win the vast majority of service charge cases at the Rent Tribunal.

The rules in short

A landlord may only charge costs that were actually made and actually agreed, and must send you an itemised annual statement before 1 July of the following year. Advances are just that: advances. If the real costs turn out lower, the difference is yours. Common problems: no annual statement at all, made-up or inflated items, charges for things that belong in the base rent, and furniture surcharges far above the real value.

What you can do

First ask your landlord in writing for the annual statement. No statement or no agreement? The Rent Tribunal can determine the service costs itself, and whatever you overpaid comes back. This route is open to every tenant, including the free sector, and works for statements up to a few years back. It costs 25 euros, refunded if you win.

An all-inclusive rent without a split between base rent and service costs can also be split by the Tribunal, which often works out in the tenant's favour. And a monthly advance that is clearly too high can be lowered.