Consumption accounts - heat, water and electricity

The presentation of consumption accounts in the Rent Act is regulated in chapter 9 (sections 72-77) and includes a number of requirements for content, deadlines, validity and the tenant's access to the accounts. The rules ensure that the tenant receives correct and timely information about consumption expenses and that the landlord fulfils his obligations in connection with the submission of accounts.

Consumption accounts include accounts for heating, water heating, cooling, cold water, gas and electricity, cf. section 72(1)(1)(1)-(5)-(12) of the Rent Act.

The accounts must provide the tenant with a clear statement of consumption costs and the tenant's share of these.

The consumption accounts must be received by the tenants no later than 4 months after the end of the financial year, cf. section 75(1) of the Rent Act.

If the accounts include expenses related to supplies from a public utility or a natural gas plant, the accounts must be received by the tenants no later than 3 months after the landlord has received final settlement from the utility, if this date is later than the 4-month deadline.

Consequences of missing deadlines

If the landlord does not submit the consumption statement within the set deadlines, the landlord loses the right to demand additional payment.

The consumption account must contain information about the tenant's share of the total expenses and about the tenant's right to object, cf. section 73 of the Rent Act.

If the accounts are received by the tenant after the expiry of the deadline in section 75, they must also contain information about the date of the landlord's receipt of final settlement from the utility company.

Validity conditions

The accounts are invalid if they do not contain the necessary information, including the tenant's share of the costs and the right to object.

In this case, the landlord must prepare new accounts that fulfil the requirements.

Right of access to documents

Once a consumption statement has been sent out, the tenant has the right to review the appendices to the statement at the property or elsewhere in the urban area in question, cf. section 76 of the Rent Act.

There are no formal requirements for the tenant's request for access to documents and this can be made by simple notification.

Deadline for objection

The lessee may object to the consumption statement no later than 6 weeks after receipt of the statement. The objection must state the points on which the accounts cannot be approved.

Landlord's duty in case of objection

If the tenant objects, the landlord must bring the case before the housing court no later than 6 weeks after the tenant's deadline for objection has expired if the landlord wishes to maintain his claim according to the accounts.

Landlord's loss of claim

If the lessor does not submit a valid consumption statement within the set deadlines, the lessor forfeits its claim for additional payment.

The tenant may, under certain conditions, refrain from paying on-account contributions.

Passivity

Case law has established that claims for repayment due to deficiencies in previous years' accounts can be cancelled by inaction, cf. TBB2004.74

Utility bills can be difficult to keep track of - so please contact us if you need to review your accounts.

ATTENTION! If you do not have individual meters for water and electricity, the landlord is not allowed to charge you for this, as water and electricity must be included in the rent.