Deposit settled with final consumption statement?

Questioner

I had a fixed-term rental contract that included 200 euros per month. Consumption would be settled annually based on historical consumption. I don't have my own meter, that's why. Now the end of the rental period has arrived and when I returned the keys last Friday, June 30, the additional consumption was deducted from my deposit. Is this allowed?

Lawyer

Good afternoon, Strictly speaking, the deposit is intended to offset defects caused by the tenant in the home during the rental period. Offsetting is usually excluded in the rental agreement. In practice, however, it often occurs that offsetting takes place in this way. Otherwise, the situation arises that the landlord returns the deposit, after which you still have to pay an outstanding invoice. In practice, this is of course quite complicated. If you agree with the invoice and the way it is drawn up, it is therefore not an unusual way to conclude a rental period with the tenant. If you do not agree with the invoice, you must protest and state your reasons for not agreeing. If you wish to discuss your case further, please feel free to contact us without obligation. Gr, Mr. Mr. S. Leito FerLei Legal 06-49175526