Energy costs sank an average of 14 percent last year, the DMB German renter’s association told daily Bild. And because renters pay for their heating up front based on projected costs, they stand to get a bit of money back, the organisation explained.

Consumers whose homes use heating oil can expect to be reimbursed an average of €3.71 per square metre. Those that have gas heating will get significantly less, the DMB said, predicting an average of €0.22 per square metre.

But renters whose homes use district heating will likely face back payments, the paper said.

Most payments will likely be sent by July.

Bild warned, however, that 2010 heating prices would likely go up because of the extremely cold winter conditions that began early in the year. Heating oil customers could face increases of up to 20 percent, the paper said.