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Widerspruch in English

Legal status: October 2026

How to object to your Nebenkostenabrechnung in Germany

You think something in your utility bill is wrong. In Germany you object with a short written statement to your landlord, called Widerspruch or Einwendungen. Here is when you have to do it, what to write, and a template you can send today.

Phil and Johann, the founders of nebify

By Phil Holthaus & Johann Slawski, founders of nebify — Nebenkostenabrechnungen checked by people and software.

Last updated October 7, 2026

Key facts at a glance

  • You have 12 months from receiving the statement to object (§ 556 (3) BGB).
  • Write down which item you dispute, how much and why. A general “too expensive” is not enough.
  • Ask to see the invoices first. Until you have seen them, you may hold back a back payment.
  • Pay the part you do not dispute. That does not mean you accept the rest.
  • Some mistakes make the whole statement invalid. Then you owe no back payment until it is corrected.
Writing a letter at a kitchen table with an envelope next to it

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Short answer

To object to your Nebenkostenabrechnung, tell your landlord in writing which item you dispute and why, within 12 months of receiving the statement. Name the item, the amount and the reason, ask to see the invoices, and pay only the part you do not dispute. Keep proof that your letter arrived.

The deadline: 12 months after you receive it

Your landlord has 12 months to send the statement. After that, you have 12 months to object:

„Einwendungen gegen die Abrechnung hat der Mieter dem Vermieter spätestens bis zum Ablauf des zwölften Monats nach Zugang der Abrechnung mitzuteilen. Nach Ablauf dieser Frist kann der Mieter Einwendungen nicht mehr geltend machen, es sei denn, der Mieter hat die verspätete Geltendmachung nicht zu vertreten.“

In English: “The tenant must notify the landlord of objections to the statement no later than the end of the twelfth month after receiving it. After this period, the tenant can no longer raise objections, unless the tenant is not responsible for the delay.”

§ 556 (3) sentences 5 and 6 BGB — our translation; only the German text is binding

The clock starts when the statement reaches you, not on the date printed on it. Write that date down. If the statement only appeared in a tenant portal, note the day you could first see it.

→ Both 12-month deadlines explained with examples

How to object: five steps

  1. 1

    Note the date of receipt

    The 12 months start on that day.

  2. 2

    Mark the items you doubt

    Compare with last year, your contract and your bank statements. Mark items that are new, much higher or not allowed.

  3. 3

    Ask to see the invoices

    For every marked item, ask for the invoices and contracts (§ 556 (4) BGB). Until you have seen them, you may hold back the back payment.

  4. 4

    Write the objection

    Name each item, the amount and the reason. Add that you reserve further objections after seeing the invoices.

  5. 5

    Pay the undisputed part

    Transfer the part you do not dispute on time, with a reference to your letter.

Letter template in German, with English translation

Vorlage (German)

Betreff: Einwendungen gegen die Nebenkostenabrechnung [Zeitraum], [Adresse, Mietvertragsnummer]

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, gegen Ihre Abrechnung vom [Datum], bei mir eingegangen am [Datum], erhebe ich folgende Einwendungen: Position [Name], [Betrag] €, weil [Grund]. Bitte gewähren Sie mir Einsicht in die Belege zu diesen Positionen (§ 556 Abs. 4 BGB). Weitere Einwendungen nach der Belegeinsicht behalte ich mir vor. Den unstrittigen Teil von [Betrag] € überweise ich fristgerecht.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen, [Name]

In English: “Dear Sir or Madam, I object to your statement dated [date], received on [date], as follows: item [name], €[amount], because [reason]. Please let me inspect the invoices for these items (§ 556 (4) BGB). I reserve further objections after the inspection. I will pay the undisputed part of €[amount] on time.”

The template is a writing aid, not legal advice.

→ Create a request to see the invoices (German tool)

Good reasons to object

  • Costs that are not allowed

    Management fees, repairs, bank charges or one-off costs. They are never operating costs (§ 1 (2) BetrKV).

  • Cable TV after June 2024

    Cable fees may no longer be passed on for the period after 30 June 2024.

  • Wrong key or area

    Costs split by flats although your contract says floor area, or a floor area that is larger than your flat.

  • Prepayments missing

    Not all the advance payments you made are deducted, for example after a change during the year.

  • Big jumps without reason

    An item that rises sharply compared with last year. Ask for the invoices before you accept it.

  • Costs of empty flats

    Vacant flats are the landlord's risk. Their share may not be spread over the other tenants.

→ What your landlord may charge: the full list

When the whole statement is invalid

Some mistakes are so basic that the statement does not count as a statement at all. According to the Federal Court of Justice, it must at least show:

  • the total costs of each item for the building,
  • the key used to split them,
  • how your share was calculated,
  • and the advance payments you made, deducted.

If one of these is missing, no back payment is due until your landlord sends a correct statement. If the correct statement only comes after the 12-month deadline for the landlord, the back payment is lost for good (§ 556 (3) sentence 3 BGB).

Not sure which items are really wrong?

An objection is only as strong as its reasons. Whether the caretaker invoice hides repairs, whether the key is right or whether an item is even allowed only shows in the invoices and your contract. We check every item and write the letter for you.

Check my statement for freeFull report from €24.90

An objection works best when every point has a legal basis. If you want to have your Nebenkostenabrechnung checked, we go through every item and send you an English summary with a ready-to-send letter to your landlord, for €24.90.

If you read German: our page Nebenkostenabrechnung prüfen lassen explains the same check in German.

FAQ: objecting to your utility bill

How long do I have to object to my Nebenkostenabrechnung?
Twelve months after you received the statement (§ 556 (3) BGB). If the statement reached you on 15 November 2026, you can object until 15 November 2027. After that you can no longer raise objections, unless the delay was not your fault.
Does my objection have to be in German?
The law does not prescribe a language, but your landlord or property manager will usually work in German. A short letter in German avoids misunderstandings. You can use the template on this page and keep the English translation for yourself.
Is asking to see the invoices already an objection?
No. Asking for the invoices (Belegeinsicht) is a separate right. As long as your landlord does not let you see them, you may hold back a back payment (BGH, 7 February 2018, VIII ZR 189/17). Your objection still has to be raised within the 12 months.
Do I have to pay while I object?
Pay the part you do not dispute. For the disputed part, name the item and the reason. Paying the undisputed part does not mean you accept the rest.
Can I object by email?
Yes, the law does not require a signed letter for objections. Keep proof that it arrived, for example a reply, a read receipt or a copy sent by post as well.

Want to object, but not sure where?

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Legal note: This guide gives general information and is not legal advice on your individual case. Whether an item in your statement is actually not allowed depends on your rental contract and the facts of your case. For legal questions, a tenants' association (Mieterverein) or a lawyer specialising in tenancy law (Fachanwalt für Mietrecht) can help you.

More guides in English

Sources: § 556 BGB · § 1 BetrKV · § 2 BetrKV; BGH, judgment of 7 Feb 2018 (VIII ZR 189/17)