Estimation in service charge settlement?

If consumption values ​​are missing, because meters are out of order, if access to the apartment is not possible, or because the company to read the meters is refused access, an estimate is required by law.

Section 9a of the Heating Costs Regulation stipulates that if the heat or water consumption of a user cannot be recorded properly, the building owner or the commissioned metering and billing company can estimate the values ​​using an appropriate method.

This applies to a maximum of 25% of the total rental space of a building. If the estimated share exceeds this limit, the entire building is to be billed for all residents - regardless of rental agreement provisions - according to the share of living space.

If the estimated area does not reach this limit, the most obvious and recognized method of estimation is based on the previous year's consumption. It is not the absolute consumption of the previous year that is to be used, but the percentage of the previous year in the total bill. Alternatively - for example in the case of new buildings or a change of user - one can estimate for comparable rooms in the building.

If these two methods are out of the question, the consumption of the entire apartment can be determined analogously to the average consumption of the entire building.

Repeat estimates are not permitted.

Estimated values ​​are to be marked in the year end statement and it is to be pointed out which estimation method was used.