Reader question: Which financing change explains the new monthly amount and which written information is missing?
The monthly charge for your Austrian apartment increases. The only justification given is “financing adjusted”. If the fee calculation is subject to the WGG, neither comparison with an ordinary index rent nor the presumption that every change requires your new consent helps. §14 Absatz 1 WGG provides for a variable fee and requires, for changed calculation amounts, the written notification of the relevant bases with the next following invoice. [WGG14]
Finding the changed line
Place the last old and the first new complete invoice side by side. Assign to each cost line the previous amount, the new amount and the difference. If operating costs or other components have been changed at the same time, these must not slip unnoticed into the claimed financing change.
Also write down from which month the new amount is demanded and which documents are enclosed with the letter. A mere overall difference does not make it recognisable which transaction is supposed to have caused it. First check whether the housing association has already sent an explanation elsewhere.
Specifically request the calculation method
The legally referenced bases include in particular the amount of the respective interest rate and changes due to appropriate contractual agreements with lenders or ground-lease providers. [WGG14]
A targeted inquiry therefore names the affected component and asks for a transition: Which basis applied previously, which applies now, from when and how does this change affect the amount demanded for your apartment? Is it actually an interest rate change, a changed amortisation or another financing transaction?
The article does not assume any specific loan contract. It also does not recommend replacing the difference yourself with an internet interest figure. For a recalculation the actually relevant financing data and the apartment-related allocation are required.
An apparent calculation error caused by mixed changes
A tenant sees a total increase of 45 euros and considers this whole amount to be an interest charge. A comparison shows that only part is recorded in the financing line; another change concerns the operating management. Your enquiry now requests for both positions the respective basis.
The example is not intended to represent a customary price or an allowable additional amount. It shows why a separate calculation facilitates the technical review. A plausibly explained line does not automatically make the other correct.
“The loan is repaid” is not a sufficient counter-argument
Even an end of repayment does not necessarily mean under the WGG that the previous component immediately ceases. §14 Absatz 7 allows, under its conditions, a further consideration of certain amounts and regulates their further use. Absatz 7 a governs a special limit after full repayment of the funds covered there. This examination requires more than the end of a single loan. [WGG14]
Therefore have confirmed which funds are still outstanding, which statutory calculation step is applied and which current threshold amount applies for your period. An old euro threshold is deliberately not used here as a present value.
With the contract, both invoices and the written transition, a tenancy-law advisory service can examine the specific change. The aim is an explainable new calculation. A blanket payment reduction solely because of an unclear communication is not derived from this article.