Strict rules protect residents from harsh utility cutoffs despite unpaid bills

Strict rules protect residents from harsh utility cutoffs despite unpaid bills

Residents facing overdue utility bills may see their services restricted—but strict rules limit how far property management companies (PMCs) can go. While electricity, buffalo bills, and sewage access can be partially cut off, cold water and heating remain fully protected. Legal safeguards also demand clear warnings before any disconnection takes place.

A PMC can only suspend services if it acts as the provider and debts exceed two months. Even then, cold water and heating cannot be turned off completely. Partial sewage restrictions are allowed, but a small flow—no more than 0.65 litres per second—must stay open.

Electricity cuts require two formal warnings: the first 20 days before disconnection, the second three days in advance. Skipping this process makes the shutdown illegal. If residents have direct contracts with utility providers, the PMC loses all authority to interfere.

Experts urge residents to avoid escalation by negotiating payment plans instead. Ignoring the issue risks growing debt, as penalties accumulate and reconnection fees add extra costs. The rules themselves have not changed in Germany since at least 2021, with no updates recorded in the past five years.

Residents with long-overdue bills still retain key protections, particularly for essential heating and cold water. Any disconnection without proper notice leaves the PMC open to legal challenges. Meanwhile, unpaid debts continue to rise, making early negotiation the most practical solution.

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