It’s no secret: gas and heating oil prices have risen sharply in recent months. However, the price increases have not yet reached the tenants. High energy prices will only affect them next year.
Because most tenants pay monthly for ancillary expenses along with the rent. Payment of real side costs comes later.
Cost attractive coming in 2023
The final statement usually comes once a year in June. One thing is already clear: in June 2023, tenants will have to prepare themselves for the price of a hammer.
Previous payments in the account will hardly be enough to cover the costs actually incurred. There are additional demands. These are expected to be so high that many homeowners are already warning their residents to avoid nasty surprises.
High additional demands
“There is a possibility of an advance payment lest you be surprised by a substantial additional demand at the end of the billing period,” writes the city of Zurich in a recent letter to tenants.
It urges its tenants to voluntarily increase their down payment for water and heating costs. Anyone living in a 2½ room apartment should increase this by CHF 50, for a 3½ room apartment by 70 CHF and for a 5½ room apartment by 80 CHF.
Tenants’ association offers savings
Many tenants are wondering what to do now. Blick asked the Swiss Tenants Association (MV). “I recommend that tenants save money for rising energy prices,” says President Carlo Sommaruga, 63. “However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be in the form of an increase in the payment in the account.”
Everyone can decide for himself how to put the money aside. If you are disciplined enough, you can also transfer the amount to a special savings account. Otherwise, Sommaruga recommends increasing the payments on the account. MV recommends that residents of a 4½-room apartment pay about 100 francs more per month.
Tenants have to pay
It is legally supported that landlords can claim additional payments for increased ancillary costs. According to Federal Supreme Court case-law, additional receivables are usually paid in full due to very low adjusted account payments.
The Federal Housing Administration therefore advises tenants to increase their payments. “To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is recommended that payments be adjusted according to cost evolution,” he says. The initiative for this can come from both the tenant and the landlord.