October 1, 2026, 10:11 am | Read time: 3 minutes
It won’t be long before utility bills for the year 2025 start arriving in mailboxes. These must be provided to tenants by December 31, 2026. However, if you notice the item “house electricity” or “general electricity,” it’s worth asking for clarification. This could save you real money. myHOMEBOOK spoke with a lawyer to explain what these terms mean.
According to Section 556, Paragraph 3 of the German Civil Code (BGB), landlords must send out utility bills by the end of the year. However, the terms house electricity or general electricity often appear in these bills. Some district courts now consider these terms to be no longer permissible.
House Electricity or General Electricity–What Does It Mean?
This question is the real issue. When house electricity or general electricity appears on a utility bill, it usually doesn’t specify what this item includes. According to Section 2, No. 11 of the Operating Costs Ordinance (BetrKV), not all electricity consumed outside the apartment can be charged to tenants. Only electricity for lighting in stairwells, hallways, basements, and access areas can be billed.
If it’s not clearly stated which electricity costs are included under this item, it might also cover electricity for the heating system. However, this should not be included in the utility bill. It belongs in the heating bill. This is where things often become confusing for tenants.
Also interesting: What can tenants do about high utility costs?
myHOMEBOOK spoke with lawyer Nicole Mutschke: “While landlords can pass on various electricity costs to tenants, the bill must clearly show what the electricity was used for. Electricity for stairwell lighting, elevators, or heating systems can generally be charged. However, these costs should not be lumped together in a way that makes it impossible for tenants to verify what they are actually being charged for, whether costs appear twice, or if they are distributed correctly.”
What Happens to Electricity and Gas Contracts When You Move?
Do I Only Have to Pay the Base Rent After Moving Out?
Which Costs Cannot Be Charged as House Electricity?
Only lighting for stairwells, basements, hallways, and outdoor areas can be charged as house electricity or general electricity. The elevator system falls under Section 2, No. 7 of the Operating Costs Ordinance, the antenna and cable system under Section 2, No. 15, and the water supply pump must be listed under Section 2, No. 2 of the ordinance.
In Case of Doubt, a Court Decides
The Hamburg District Court declared both terms “formally invalid” in 2022 due to their lack of clarity. Although district courts are the lowest level in the legal system and other courts might rule differently, such decisions provide guidance in legal matters. According to the lawyer, the terms are not clear. This applies not only to house electricity and general electricity: “Other general terms like ‘other operating costs’ can also be problematic if they don’t specify which costs are being billed. The Federal Court of Justice has repeatedly affirmed the principle of transparent and verifiable billing. All courts naturally follow this principle.”