> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.immodio.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.immodio.app/en-start/guides-group/tenancies/create-a-tenancy-agreement/operating-costs/operating-costs-and-heating-costs-for-shared-apartment-rental.md).

# Operating costs and heating costs for shared apartment rental

#### Special feature

When renting individual **shared flat rooms (WG rooms)**, the question arises as to how operating costs are correctly calculated. In a shared flat, several tenants share an apartment with common rooms and connections, which makes it difficult to assign particularly consumption-dependent costs such as **heating, water, or electricity** to a single WG room. Individual consumption recording would be technically disproportionatelycomplex and in practice **hardly feasible**.

#### Advance payment of operating costs in WG rental

What this variant, the tenant pays an **advance payment** on the operating and heating costs every month.\
The **Billing is done once a year at the level of the unit**, i.e. for the entire WG together, in accordance with the Operating Costs Ordinance (BetrKV) and the Heating Costs Ordinance (HeizkostenV).

Inth the shared apartment, the total amount attributable to the apartment is then distributed among the tenants.\
The Immodio tenancy agreement gives you a choice between:

* a **distribution according to the head principle** (all tenants pay the same share), or
* of a **distribution according to living area** (share of the shared apartment room in relation to the total area of all shared apartment rooms).

Further general notes on advance payment of operating costs can be found [here](https://help.immodio.app/en-start/guides-group/tenancies/create-a-tenancy-agreement/operating-costs/advance-payment-of-operating-costs).

#### Flat-rate operating costs for shared apartment rentals

With this option, you agree on a **flat rate**, which already includes all operating, heating, and hot water costs. There is **no separate annual billing** – the flat rate fully covers all ongoing operating costs (if selected, also electricity and internet connection). Unlike the standard tenancy agreement, heating costs are also covered by a flat rate here in order to make renting the shared apartment rooms easier. **However, the permissibility of such a regulation is not conclusively clarified**.Legal classification regarding the flat rate billing of heating costs

<details>

<summary>Legal classification regarding the flat-rate billing of heating costs</summary>

According to the Heating Costs Ordinance (HeizKV), heating and hot water costs must generally be billed **based on consumption** (§ 6 para. 1). However, in certain cases, the law allows exceptions:

* According to **§ 11 para. 1 no. 2 HeizKV**, billing based on consumption does not apply to *student dormitories and comparable building sections* where, due to communal use or frequent tenant turnover, billing based on consumption is **not reasonable**.

Individually rented **shared apartment rooms** could therefore be comparable due to the high turnover, as several people also share rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom here, and consumption cannot be clearly assigned.

{% hint style="danger" %}
A supreme court decision specifically on the application of § 11 para. 1 no. 2 HeizkostenV to shared apartments has not yet been issued.
{% endhint %}

</details>

Further general information on the operating cost flat rate can be found [here](https://help.immodio.app/en-start/guides-group/tenancies/create-a-tenancy-agreement/operating-costs/flat-rate-operating-costs).