Service Costs
When you rent a property you will have to pay service charges in addition to the basic rent. Service charges include:
- The upkeep of any communal areas, such as the staircases in a block of apartments
- Council tax, to cover services such as rubbish removal
- Utility charges, for services such as electricity, gas, water and telephone
The total cost of these services will be indicated on your rental contract. The landlord can ask you to pay in advance, either once a month or once every quarter. The costs can be readjusted once a year. If service costs increase during the year, the landlord must tell the tenant the reasons for this increase. They must also show evidence for their reasoning to the tenant. Tenants must be informed of a service cost increase at least one month in advance.
If the tenant has failed to pay service costs in the past, the landlord has five years within which to ask for a back payment to cover the costs. If the tenant has paid too much for service costs, they have up to five years time to request a reimbursement from the landlord.
Service costs are not charged separately in university residences.
Internet and telephone costs
It may well be your own responsibility to arrange a telephone line, or internet connection. If you are moving into shared accommodation, your housemates may have already organised a telephone and internet deal, and ask you to contribute. It is possible to find flat rate deals which allow you to make as many calls as you wish for one set monthly price. Nowadays, most telecommunications companies offer package deals including a telephone, telephone line, internet connection and extra television channels. These deals are available for around €30.
