Belegeinsicht in English
Belegeinsicht: how to see the invoices behind your utility bill
Your utility bill only shows totals. Whether they are right, only the invoices behind them can tell. German law gives you the right to see them, and while you wait, you do not have to pay. Here is how it works and what to look for.
By Phil Holthaus & Johann Slawski, founders of nebify — Nebenkostenabrechnungen checked by people and software.
Last updated October 9, 2026
Key facts at a glance
- You may see all invoices and contracts behind your Nebenkostenabrechnung (§ 556 (4) BGB).
- Since 2025 your landlord may also send them electronically, for example as PDFs.
- Until you have seen them, you may hold back the back payment.
- You may also see the consumption figures of other flats, as far as you need them.
- Asking for the invoices is not an objection. Raise objections separately within 12 months.
Already got your statement? Upload it to the free pre-check and see in 2 minutes which items are worth a look at the invoices.
Start pre-checkShort answer
In Germany your landlord must let you see the invoices behind your Nebenkostenabrechnung if you ask, and since 2025 may send them electronically. Ask in writing, name the items you want to see, and hold back the back payment until you have seen them. Your 12-month deadline for objections keeps running, so do not wait too long.
Your right in the law
„Der Vermieter hat dem Mieter auf Verlangen Einsicht in die der Abrechnung zugrundeliegenden Belege zu gewähren. Der Vermieter ist berechtigt, die Belege elektronisch bereitzustellen.“In English: “The landlord must, on request, allow the tenant to inspect the documents on which the statement is based. The landlord is entitled to provide the documents electronically.”
This applies to every residential tenancy, including flats from large housing companies and cooperatives. It covers invoices, contracts, the area list of the building, the property tax notice, insurance policies and the readings of the metering company.
How to ask for the invoices
- 1
Choose the items
Mark the items that are new, much higher than last year or unclear. You do not have to ask for everything.
- 2
Ask in writing
Write to your landlord or property manager. Name the period, the items, and that you would like electronic copies.
- 3
Hold back the back payment
Pay the undisputed part. The rest can wait until you have seen the invoices.
- 4
Check and object
After seeing the invoices, object to what is wrong, within 12 months of receiving the statement.
What to look at in the invoices
Right building and period
Is the invoice addressed to your building and does it cover the billing period? Invoices from other years or properties do not belong in your bill.
Repairs hidden inside
Caretaker, garden and maintenance invoices often include repairs or replacement parts. Those are never operating costs.
Twice for the same work
Cleaning or winter service billed as its own item and again inside the caretaker contract.
Total matches the bill
Add up the invoices for an item. The total must match the figure for the whole building in your statement.
Area and flats
The area list shows the total floor area used to split costs. If it changed without explanation, your share may be wrong.
Other flats' readings
For heating and water, compare your readings with the others. Implausible jumps or estimates are worth a question.
On paper, at the office or digital
Traditionally you look at the folders at your landlord’s or property manager’s office. Since 2025 your landlord may instead send the documents electronically, as PDFs or in a tenant portal. Many large landlords do this already.
If you ask for paper copies, your landlord may charge for them, usually around €0.25 per page. If you go to the office, bring your statement, a list of the items and your phone, and ask whether you may take photos of the pages.
Asking to see the invoices does not count as an objection. If you find something wrong, write a separate objection within 12 months of receiving the statement.
Invoices in German, and you are not sure what to look for?
A caretaker invoice that includes repairs or a maintenance contract that covers more than the law allows is easy to miss. We read the invoices against your statement and your contract and tell you in English what is wrong.
Reading German invoices line by line takes time. You can get your German utility bill checked: the pre-check is free, the full report with a letter to your landlord costs €24.90.
If you read German: our page Nebenkostenabrechnung prüfen lassen explains the same check in German.
FAQ: seeing your landlord's invoices
Do I have the right to see my landlord's invoices in Germany?
Can my landlord send me the invoices by email?
Do I have to pay the back payment before I have seen the invoices?
Can I see my neighbours' consumption figures?
Do I have to pay for copies?
Want to know which invoices to ask for?
Upload your statement to the free pre-check. You see in English which items look suspicious and whether a full check is worth it.
Start free pre-checkNebenkostenabrechnung check in English
Money-back guarantee on the full check for residential tenants.
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
- → How to object to your Nebenkostenabrechnung in Germany
- → Nachzahlung: do you really have to pay the back payment on your Nebenkosten?
- → What can your landlord charge in Germany? The Betriebskosten list in English
- → Your German utility bill explained: what the Nebenkostenabrechnung really says
- → Heating costs in Germany: how your Heizkostenabrechnung is split
- → Nebenkostenabrechnung check in English: how it works and what it costs