From July 1, landlords will no longer be allowed to pass on the monthly fees for a cable TV connection to their tenants. This was previously the case for apartment buildings with a shared cable connection. The reason for the abolition of the so-called "ancillary cost privilege" is an amendment to the Telecommunications Act. Tenants can then choose their own provider. Landlords now have a special right to terminate the TV subscription contract. The portal "haufe.de" points this out.
The consumer advice center has already pointed out that there are special provisions for homeowners' associations (WEG). Although there is an extraordinary right of termination for group contracts as of June 30, 2024, it is possible that a WEG may decide against terminating the contract. In such a case, the owners are still obliged to pay the fees, but may no longer transfer them to the tenants.
Under the previous service charge privilege for cable fees, tenants were obliged to pay for cable services under their landlord's collective agreements, even if they did not use the service. Following the change in the law, they now have the freedom to choose their own reception option and no longer have to pay for television reception that they do not use. They can switch to alternative reception methods or conclude their own contract with a cable provider.
Sources: haufe.de/verbraucherzentrale.de/mietercheck.de
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