So far, the threat only exists on paper.

The prices for heating and electricity are rising and rising, but they are usually not yet noticeable in the wallet.

Because billing is currently still at the old, lower prices.

That will change, and the extent will be severe: there is a risk of additional costs of over 1000 euros a year.

Dyrk Scherff

Editor in the “Value” section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.

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The ancillary cost statement for 2021, which many tenants will receive in the next few weeks, bears little witness to this.

Energy prices have risen, but relatively late in the year.

The big hammer threatens next year when the accounts for 2022 are presented.

Some will feel it beforehand.

Because the first landlords are now beginning to increase the advance payments for the additional rental costs because of the rising energy prices.

This is allowed once a year, after which the tenants have planning security at least until the next year.

Homeowners who still have oil heating (about a quarter of households) and will have to buy more heating oil at some point will also feel it.

Their tenants notice this through increased advance payments and next year with the utility bills.

Gas prices have more than doubled

Anyone who heats with gas (like about half of all households) and bills directly with the supplier may still benefit from a price guarantee from last year that is still valid for a few months.

After that, the providers will probably increase the prices and thus the monthly installments.

This must be announced six weeks in advance, and customers can then cancel.

However, a change is currently not always worthwhile as it used to be.

Sometimes the price increase with the previous supplier is lower than with a switch to a competitor.

Because the previous supplier may have already bought the energy quantities at lower prices.

The new customer bonus that is usual when you switch companies no longer compensates for this as naturally as it used to.

The increase in gas is particularly large.

The prices have more than doubled within a year.

For a family of four with a consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours, this means additional costs of 1400 euros per year at current prices, the consumer portal Verivox has calculated for the FAS.

For a couple it is still around 720 euros, for a single 300 euros more.

The increase in electricity is somewhat milder at around 30 percent.

But this also leads to higher costs of 400 euros for families, 270 euros for couples and 150 euros for single people.

All in all, citizens are faced with additional costs from gas and electricity of up to 1800 euros a year.

The basis is the current average prices of the local basic suppliers as well as regional and national providers.

Since the prices could continue to rise, the additional costs can also be significantly higher.

In May, however, prices fell somewhat, but remain very high.

State relief packages do not compensate for additional costs

The additional costs are partly reduced by the government's relief packages.

Every adult receives a one-off energy allowance of 300 euros, which is taxable.

In the worst case, only a little more than half remains.

This year, an additional 100 euros will be paid for each child, but this will be offset against the child allowance.

The electricity price will be somewhat relieved by the abolition of the EEG surcharge.

However, this reduces the costs for the family by only 90 euros with a consumption of 4000 kilowatt hours, the single person saves only 33 euros a year with a consumption of 1500 kilowatt hours.

Climate money from the income from CO2 taxation, which accounted for 7.2 billion euros in 2021, is currently being debated.

The height is still open.

People are also relieved of their tax burden thanks to a higher basic allowance and a higher employee allowance.

Housing benefits have also been increased for those in need.

However, all of this is also a compensation for the other increases in prices, such as food.

Overall, despite the relief, there will still be significant increases in electricity and heating costs.