Understanding Your Monthly Consumption Advance
Every tenant pays a €50 monthly consumption advance. This amount isn’t random — it’s based on the average annual energy and water usage of previous academic years in our buildings. For most students, this advance provides an accurate and predictable baseline. Still, several factors determine whether your individual consumption stays within this amount or needs a small adjustment at the final settlement.
Below is a transparent overview of the main elements that influence your consumption.
1. Duration of Stay
First-semester tenants (September–January) typically consume more relative to their stay due to the coldest months of the year. It’s therefore common that a small additional payment is required at departure. It’s difficult to calculate separate averages for the two rental periods. Administrative constraints, combined with annual billing cycles of utility providers, make it impossible to distribute costs reliably over such short timeframes. For this reason, we apply one year-based consumption advance for all tenants.
Second-semester tenants (February–June) are usually below average consumption, which means a settlement surplus is uncommon.
2. Personal Behaviour & Daily Usage
Normal, mindful use stays well around the €50 budget. However, consumption can rise quickly if:
- Radiators are left running continuously, from day one until departure
- Non-allowed high-consumption appliances are used (electric blankets, portable AC units, deep fryers, strong cooking devices)
- Heating runs while windows are open
- Unnoticed issues occur, like a leaking tap or a toilet that keeps running
These situations create unnecessary peaks in water or energy use and can result in higher costs, if they are not corrected or managed correctly.
3. Technical Issues in the Room
We do not expect extreme overconsumption — unless something is wrong in the studio and wasn’t reported. Examples include:
- A hidden water leak
- A faulty thermostatic valve
- A device that draws power continuously
This is why we always stress: please report technical issues immediately. Early detection prevents both extra costs and inconvenience.
4. Market Prices & Weather Conditions
Energy prices fluctuate. We actively monitor the market and renegotiate contracts when possible to secure favourable rates for our tenants. However, several factors remain outside our control:
- Increasing or decreasing market prices
- Harsh or unusually long winters
- Extended periods of bad weather increasing heating needs
These external conditions may impact overall consumption even if your behaviour stays consistent.
5. Interim Meter Checks
To protect tenants from unexpected settlement bills, we conduct one or two meter checks during the academic year.
These checks help to:
- Detect unusual spikes in consumption
- Identify technical problems early
- Provide insight into your energy usage
- Avoid surprises at the end of the contract
The goal is transparency and support — not surveillance.
Each studio has its own meters inside the studios, allowing tenants to monitor their daily consumption independently and adjust their usage whenever necessary.
Is the €50 Advance Sufficient?
In 95% of cases: yes.
With regular, responsible usage, your total consumption stays comfortably within the monthly €50 advance. Small adjustments may occur during winter or with shorter rental periods, but significant deviations are extremely rare and almost always linked to technical issues or prohibited appliances.
Our aim remains consistent: to provide comfortable, energy-efficient student studios at a fair and predictable cost.