Service charge statement
Short definition
The service charge statement is the annual comparison of the operating costs actually incurred with the advance payments made by the tenant. The basis is the service charges agreed in the tenancy agreement.
When must the service charge statement be issued?
The statement must be prepared no later than 12 months after the end of the billing period. After this period, additional demands against the tenant can usually no longer be asserted.
How are service charges distributed in the statement?
The distribution is based on an allocation key specified in the tenancy agreement, for example by living space, number of people or actual consumption. The selected key must be transparent and comprehensible.
Practical Context
The service charge statement is one of the most common triggers for queries and conflicts in a tenancy. Incorrect statements, unclear allocation keys or late delivery lead to additional coordination efforts and often also delay the return of the rental deposit.
Example
An incorrectly applied allocation key leads to tenants contesting the statement and a correction becoming necessary.
Further Links
→ Encyclopedia Article: Service Charges
→ Blog Article: Preparing Service Charge Statements: How to Do It Right
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