Tenant Help: Energy, Heating & Hot Water in Austria

As a tenant in Austria, interruptions to energy supply, heating or hot water can quickly lead to uncomfortable or even uninhabitable conditions. This guide explains clearly and practically what rights you have, which duties landlords bear and which authorities to contact for help. You will find concrete steps for reporting, documenting outages, setting deadlines for repairs and using official contact points such as the district court or JustizOnline. The advice is aimed at tenants who need quick solutions or are considering legal steps, and explains technical terms simply and without legalese. We also explain how to check heating cost statements, what claims exist in case of heating failure and when to seek legal assistance. If possible, collect photos, logs and communications by email or letter; this helps in discussions with the landlord and the court.

What to do if heating or hot water fails?

If heating or hot water fails, report the defect immediately in writing to the landlord or property manager and set a reasonable deadline for remedy. Document date, time, photos and all contacts. In many cases, the landlord is obliged to restore usability; relevant statutory rules are in the Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG). ^[1]

Who can help?

• Tenant associations (contact) for advice, mediation and help with letters.
• District court (court) for legal disputes and lawsuits against the landlord.
• JustizOnline (form) for court termination, applications and e-forms.
• Energy providers (payment) for billing, instalments and outage questions.

Practical steps

1. Contact the landlord immediately in writing and by email with an exact description of the defect.
2. Collect evidence: photos, date/time, witnesses and all messages.
3. Request repairs in writing and specify a deadline (deadline) for remedy.
4. If the deadline passes, consider rent reduction, self-help or claims for damages.
5. Seek legal advice if the landlord does not respond; authorities and courts may be involved.

FAQ

Who must repair the heating?

In principle, the landlord is responsible for maintaining the heating; exceptions depend on the contract and may be influenced by the MRG.^[1]

Can I reduce the rent if there is no hot water?

If the usability is significantly restricted, a rent reduction is possible, but it must be documented and justified; legal advice is recommended.

Where do I file a lawsuit if the landlord does not respond?

Lawsuits on tenancy matters are filed at the competent district court; information on procedures is available at Justiz.gv.at.^[2]

How-To

1. Step 1: Report the defect immediately in writing and set a deadline.
2. Step 2: Collect evidence (photos, witnesses, communication log).
3. Step 3: Request repair by property manager or specialist.
4. Step 4: If no response, initiate legal steps and use JustizOnline forms if needed.^[3]

Help and Support

• [1] RIS: Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG)
• [2] Justiz.gv.at: Court procedures and information
• [3] JustizOnline: E-forms and court filings

1. [1] RIS: Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG)
2. [2] Justiz.gv.at: Court procedures and information
3. [3] JustizOnline: E-forms and court filings