New German heating meter law could save tenants money in 2027

Those little meters stuck on every radiator in your flat? They could save you some money on utilities in 2027, depending on when your landlord last upgraded them.

Germany’s new heating meter law

According to the Heating Costs Ordinance (HKVO), landlords in Germany must upgrade heating meters in their properties so readings can be taken remotely. Meters which support remote readings mean someone doesn’t have to set an appointment to enter your flat and read the meter.

These heating meters collect information about how much energy tenants use. This information is used to determine the cost of the annual utility bill (Betriebs- und Heizungsabrechnung), which landlords typically send to tenants in September or October. 

Landlords have until December 31, 2026, to upgrade the heating meters. If they do not meet the deadline, tenants may be able to get a 3 percent discount on their utility bill for 2025.

How to check if you can save money

If you haven’t been notified that your landlord upgraded your heating meters to be read remotely, email them to confirm whether the upgrade has taken place. If your landlord says the meters aren't readable remotely, ask when the upgrade will take place.

It’s worth noting that most heating meters upgraded since December 2021 are readable remotely. However, landlords are exempt in some circumstances, for example, when it is technically impossible or considered “unreasonably burdensome”.

If your landlord says they are not obliged to upgrade the meters, you can contact your local tenants’ association (Mieterverein) to confirm whether this is the case. If the landlord is obliged and hasn’t done the upgrade by December 31, the tenants’ association can also give you advice about how to enforce your right to the 3 percent utility bill discount.

Since 2021, landlords who have installed remotely readable metres have been obliged to send tenants monthly updates about their energy consumption. The law is designed to make utility bills more transparent and help tenants better understand how their consumption is changing, so they aren’t shocked by a massive bill at the end of the year.

So if your landlord has already installed the remotely readable metres but hasn't since sent monthly information about your consumption, you might also be entitled to the 3 percent discount. From January 1, 2027, all landlords will be obliged to send tenants monthly information about their energy consumption.