Financial expert warns: Tenants must expect expensive additional payments for electricity and gas! Here's how you can protect yourself.

Financial expert warns: Tenants must expect expensive additional payments for electricity and gas! Here's how you can protect yourself.

According to a report by www.fr.de,

Tenants have to be prepared for significant additional payments for electricity and gas, even though the federal government had planned price caps for energy costs. In 2022, energy suppliers have significantly increased the prices for gas and electricity, which will lead to hefty additional payments in the current bill. Monthly payments are being increased despite the forecast price declines of many basic suppliers for the winter months, leading to a paradoxical dilemma for consumers. Consumer advocates therefore advise checking the new discounts carefully, as many energy suppliers are obviously trying to enforce excessive discounts.

According to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, consumers paid an average of 12.26 cents per kilowatt hour of gas in the first half of 2023, which corresponds to an increase of 31.3 percent compared to the second half of 2022. The price of electricity rose by 21 percent to an average of 42.29 cents per kilowatt hour. These increases have a direct impact on the financial burden on tenants.

The additional payments for electricity and gas lead to new advance payments, which are often excessive. Despite forecast price declines, many providers are increasing their monthly installment payments due to the higher final invoices. Consumer protection organizations recommend that tenants check their bills carefully and only adjust advance payments if higher consumption is actually expected.

In addition, consumers should carefully check the meter readings, consumption, price per kilowatt hour and bonus payments stated in the bill. The advance payments should also be calculated based on realistic consumption in order to avoid excessive payments. The extension of the energy price brakes until the end of March 2024 is intended to relieve the burden on consumers, but there are also some catches.

It is advisable to switch providers for potential financial savings. Portals like Verivox and Check24 can help you find the best deals. With the help of these facts and advice, tenants can minimize their financial burden due to rising energy costs.