Questions to Ask About Utilities When Moving to Germany

Published May 16, 2026·Updated May 26, 2026

Transcript

Read along, German & English, side by side

Did you know that many people pay too much for electricity and heating each month just because they don't ask questions?

Like really a lot, sometimes 50 euros or more. That hurts, right?

Totally. And even worse, many don’t ask about water, heating, and internet when they move in.

Then they find themselves without hot water or Wi-Fi on the first night. Well, nobody wants that.

And the biggest mistake is often just picking the cheapest plan.

Later you realize, oh dear, the service is terrible and the contract is super long. That’s so annoying.

Hi, and welcome to us. I’m Julia, and today we’re going to casually talk about utilities, like electricity, water, heating, and internet.

So, what should you ask when you’re taking an apartment or want to switch?

I’m Tim. Nice to have you here. We’ll do this practically today with examples and simple sentences.

Then you can use it directly on the phone or with the landlord.

Exactly. Let’s start with moving in. When you’re looking at an apartment, ask if it’s warm rent or cold rent?

Warm rent means utilities are already included, like heating and water.

Cold rent is just the rent without utilities. Utilities are extra costs for the house and apartment, like waste, water, heating, and hallway electricity.

It sounds off, but you can ask this nicely.

I would say, excuse me, what exactly is included in the utilities? Do we pay for heating through the utilities or separately? And who registers the electricity, me or the landlord?

Yes, great questions. Some landlords register the heating through the property management. And you register the electricity yourself. Water is often included in the utilities. But electricity is almost always separate. So always ask.

And very importantly, ask about the utilities statement. That’s the paper you get once a year, stating if you’ll get money back or need to pay more. Getting money back means credit, needing to pay means you have to transfer something extra.

Speaking of asking questions. Many people think the cheapest electricity tariff is always the best. That’s simply not true. One user wrote that he did that and the service was lousy and the hotline was never available. In the end, he was totally frustrated.

Yes, I’ve heard that too. He said the information was overwhelming and he was afraid to switch. Later he switched anyway and then saved hundreds of euros. He felt so relieved afterward, really nice.

When you call the electricity provider, you can simply say: Hello, I’m moving in on March 15th and need power. What tariffs do you have? Is there a price guarantee for twelve months?

Price guarantee means the price stays the same, so it won’t go up. And then also ask, what’s the contract duration, so how long does the contract last? And what’s the cancellation notice period, so how soon do I have to cancel?

Good addition. Also ask about the base price and usage price. The base price is the fixed fee per month. The usage price is the price per kilowatt-hour, meaning per unit of electricity you consume.

If the hotline is hectic, feel free to say: One moment please, I’m taking notes. What is the base price per month? And how much does a kilowatt-hour cost? This way you stay calm and have the numbers.

And if you’re uncertain, ask: Do you have a tariff that’s cancelable monthly? That means you can opt-out every month. The price might be a bit higher, but the freedom is great.

Sometimes there are local energy cooperatives. This is like a club in the city that sells electricity. Many people overlook this, but often the service and price are fair, and you support the region.

Really a good tip.

Yes, and one thing for renters. There are houses with solar panels on the roof. Sounds great, but often the landlord sets the price. You can't freely choose the provider. So read the rental agreement carefully.

Speaking of rental agreements. Look for clauses, meaning rules in the contract about energy. Sometimes it states that the heating is central and you can’t change it. If you know this beforehand, you won’t have any stress later.

A little dialog for practicing, okay? You say on the phone: Hello, I’d like to set up a new electricity contract. My move-in date is January 8, 2024. Can you recommend a tariff with a price guarantee?

And the person might say: Yes, we have a tariff with a 12-month price guarantee. Then you say: Great, what is the monthly payment? Payment is the monthly charge, kind of like a prepayment.

Exactly, payment is like an estimate per month. At the end of the year comes the statement. If you consume less, you get money back. If you consume more, you have to pay extra.

When moving in, you also need to read the meter. That’s the device that measures consumption. You need the meter number and the reading. It’s best to take a photo, then it’s all clear.

When reporting the reading, spell out the numbers clearly. For example, the meter reading is 14739. The meter number is 08001234. This way the hotline understands everything well.

Oh yes. And if you’re unsure, ask: Where can I find the meter? Is it in the basement or in the apartment? Do I need an appointment or can I stop by anytime?

Topic heating. Ask the landlord what type of heating it is, central or individual? Central means the building has a large heating system and you pay via utilities. Individual means you have gas in the apartment, for example.

If it’s central, ask: Who reads the heating? Is there a company that comes once a year? And when do I get the statement? Earlier in July or later?

Water is often simple, but still ask if the hot water runs through electricity or heating. If it runs through electricity, the energy consumption is higher. That's good to know; otherwise, you might be surprised later by the bill.

Waste, meaning garbage, is also a point. Usually, garbage is included in the utilities. But ask what bins are available and what does bulky waste cost? Bulky waste is large garbage like an old sofa.

Don’t forget about the internet. Ask: Is there already a connection? How fast is the internet? Is there a router there or do I need to buy one? And what’s the minimum contract duration?

When you call the provider, say calmly: I need internet starting from the first of the month. Do you have tariffs without a long commitment? And can the activation happen at 9 AM on the moving day?

Good point. Some providers need time. Sometimes a technician comes and an appointment is required. Plan this early, like two to three weeks in advance. Otherwise, you’ll be without Wi-Fi, which is annoying.

I once had a little mishap. I moved and ordered the internet too late, then I used a hotspot for two weeks and bought data every day. That was expensive and slow, well, never again.

Back to electricity and tariffs. One person online wrote: She hesitated for years because everything seemed so complicated. In the end, she switched and immediately paid less. Sometimes it helps to just make the first call.

Yes, and when comparing, don’t just look at the price. Check the reviews of the service. Cheap is great, sure, but if help is lacking, you waste time and nerves. That’s the famous false saving.

When you talk to the landlord, here are simple questions: Who registers electricity and gas? Is hot water through electricity or heating? What’s included in the utilities? And when does the statement come?

And on the phone with the provider? How high is the base price per month? How high is the usage price per kilowatt-hour? Is there a price guarantee for twelve months? What’s the cancellation period?

Also ask about discounts. Sometimes there’s a bonus in the first year. But be careful, after the first year, it might get more expensive. Ask: What does it cost after the first year?

If you want to cancel, ask directly: How can I cancel, by letter or email, and to what address does it go? This way you know everything right from the start and won’t have stress later.

One more little tip. Write down the date and time of the call. For example, call on April 18 at 2:30 PM, spoke with Ms. Müller. This helps if there are questions later.

Good trick. And always take a photo of the meter readings. That’s proof in case there’s a dispute. A picture with the date is crystal clear and you’re on the safe side.

There are also plans with green energy. If the environment is important to you, ask: Is this real green energy? How is it proven? It's easy to ask, and you'll feel better about it.

Quick note on solar energy for rental buildings. Many think, oh great, I’ll save money right away. But often the landlord sets the price, and you can’t switch. So, ask beforehand: Can I choose my provider freely?

If the landlord says: No, that's fixed, then you know. Read the contract carefully twice. And if you're unsure, ask friends or the consumer advice center. They explain it in simple words.

Lastly, let’s do a mini-roleplay, okay? I’ll be the hotline. Hello, this is City Energy. How can I help?

Hi, this is Tim. I'm moving in on May 1st and need electricity. Do you have a plan with a price guarantee and a monthly cancellation option? And what’s the estimated advance payment for a small apartment?

Yes, we have a plan with a 6-month price guarantee, which can be canceled monthly. The base fee is 10 euros per month, and the usage price is fair. The advance payment is usually around 35 euros, depending on usage.

Thanks. And how do I read the meter? Where can I find the meter number? And can I send the reading by email?

You’ll usually find the meter in the basement or hallway. The meter number is on the front of the device. Feel free to send the reading by email or with a photo in the app. Is that clear?

Perfect. Thank you very much. That works. So, that was the little roleplay. See, it goes really well with just a few sentences.

So, folks, don’t be afraid of calls and questions. Just be friendly, speak slowly, and repeat numbers.

If something is unclear, say: Could you please explain that again?

Exactly. And remember the tips: don’t just look at the cheapest price, check the contract duration, and read the additional costs and clauses in the rental agreement.

We hope this helps you with your next move or switch. If you liked it, well, feel free to give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel. That way, you won’t miss any simple, practical episodes.

Yes, please do that. Also, write us with any questions you have about electricity, water, heating, or internet. We'll address it in a future episode. Thank you, and see you soon.