Besides rent, you must pay all utility costs related to the apartment during your stay, such as:

• electricity, water, gas,

• garbage collection,

• TV and internet subscriptions,

• building common area charges and similar items.

Depending on your agreement, utilities can be:

• paid by actual consumption, based on invoices or calculations the landlord shows you, usually by the 15th of the following month, or

• charged as a fixed monthly amount, paid together with the rent.

If utilities are fixed but your consumption is very high or prices rise significantly, the landlord can charge extra for the difference or increase the fixed amount.

If you are more than 15 days late paying utilities or related costs, the landlord may:

• charge default interest, and

• terminate the contract and keep the deposit.