Even when you have left your old accommodation, some invoices can always be sent to you.
A lapidary email, out of nowhere, which has something to give cold sweats to the one who opens it. Marie (assumed first name) still can’t believe it. In February 2024, its former owner ordered her to pay more than 1000 euros in the expenses dating from 2021 when she has not lived in the apartment since June. An error? That nenni ! The lessor is in his right. However, the 30 -year -old, any more than her roommate at the time, had only been notified that invoice could happen at any time. Besides, very few tenants know this rule which can cost them (very) dear.
Every month, they pay rent. This is broken down into two parts: the amount corresponding to the house and that corresponding to the charges. The amount deducted under charges is a package calculated according to the co -ownership charges (cleaning, elevator, electricity of the common areas, household waste, etc.) and energy subscriptions (water and/or gas) if the tenant did not take them directly at his charge (which is compulsory for the electricity of the accommodation).
However, with the price increase, the plan estimated at the start of the contract could not cover all of the charges. Thus, a regularization to fill the gap between the amount already harvested and the amount really to pay is made once a year. But in condominiums, these calculations are not always done very quickly. And the regularizations can happen very late.
Marie and her roommate paid the price. Overnight, their ex-lessor sent them the regularization for the year 2021, more than two years later. Except that it is not illegal: any owner can return to his (former) tenant within three years to pay the sums due. A rule whose two friends had not been notified during their move and which was not registered anywhere in their contract. On the other hand, the regularization bill is well arrived: 1100 euros for them two, or 550 euros each. The cold shower.
Especially since in their building at the time, the charges are paid in the milestone and not for real consumption. “It is the water and the gas which weigh mainly in the regularization, when we hardly use heating”, castigates the one who lived in Cergy (Val-d’Oise). Marie resigned herself and went to the checkout.
These regularizations must, however, be accompanied by supporting documents and any additional document may be requested by the tenant. Furthermore, while the texts provide that a regularization may be requested even in the event of “forgetting, ignorance or negligence of the owner”, a payment of payment may be requested under certain conditions. Enough to make this “fairly unpleasant” pill better pass.