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Today in Austria: A round-up of the latest news on Friday

Find out what's going on in Austria today with The Local's short round-up of the news.

Published: 5 March 2021 09:27 CET
A cafe with chairs being set up outside
Will cafes open up in Austria in the spring? Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

Outdoor dining plan thrown into doubt by rise in intensive care cases

Austria’s planned further openings, including outdoor dining openings on 27th March are looking increasingly unlikely, according to Der Standard newspaper.

Coronavirus infections are rising rapidly and the number of intensive care beds occupied by corona cases has increased by 20 percent in one week.

Health Minister Rudolf Anschober has said he is “alarmed” by the latest figures the newspaper reports.

On Thursday, 2,324 new infections were registered in 24 hours. Planned opening steps in Easter will be decided on 15th March.

Vienna’s City Councillor says opening plan is “realistic”

However, Vienna Health City Councillor Peter Hacker told broadcaster ORF that opening outdoor dining areas in Vienna on March 27th was “quite realistic”.

He proposes making Vienna’s Stadtpark into a giant outdoor eating area. 

Coronavirus infections on the rise

The 7-day incidence or number of new infections with the coronavirus in the past seven days per 100,000 inhabitants, has increased.

According to the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), it is 169 as of Thursday. The number is highest in Salzburg (223), Lower Austria (206.4) and Burgenland (205.1).

The value is still lowest in Vorarlberg (76.5) and Tyrol (114.4).

MAPS: Where are Austria’s coronavirus hotspots?

Exit controls in Carinthia

Exit controls are being introduced for the Carinthian district of Hermagor, which is currently particularly affected by the British coronavirus variant (B.1.1.7), with a seven-day incidence of 670.

From Tuesday, proof of a negative corona test taken in the previous 48 hours or coronavirus infection from the past six months will be required to leave the area.

Police will carry out controls at seven checkpoints. Schoolchildren will switch to distance learning.

Austria, Israel and Denmark plan joint vaccine production

Austria, Israel and Denmark want to join forces in vaccine production following a vaccination summit in Israel, which some European commentators saw as a signal that the EU’s cohesion in the fight against the pandemic is cracking.

READ: Austria and Denmark chided by EU ally over Israel vaccine plan

The heads of government agreed on a joint research foundation, initially endowed with 50 million euros to fund vaccine development projects, Der Standard reports.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says other states including EU members have already expressed interest in joining the cooperation. The Brilife vaccine, made in Israel, should hit the market next summer.

Curevac vaccine to be manufactured in Austria 

Biotech company Curevac will receive support from Novartis in the production of its Covid-19 vaccine.

Novartis will start manufacturing the vaccine in its Kundl plant in Austria in the second quarter, with the first doses expected to be delivered from the summer, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt.

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RENTING

‘Betriebskosten’: What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Renting an apartment in Austria means you’ll have to budget not only for the rent, but other somewhat hidden monthly costs and expenses.

Published: 30 April 2024 11:29 CEST
'Betriebskosten': What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Understanding operating costs or the specific expenses landlords or property agencies charge renters, is crucial for staying on top of your monthly payments when renting a place in Austria. These extra costs, known in German as Betriebskosten, are strictly regulated by Austria’s Tenancy Act. 

Here are the operating expensses that are chargeable to tenants, according to the MieterHilfe Public Association:

  • Water/wastewater and costs of leak testing, plus excess consumption due to burst pipes, but does not include disproportionate additional consumption for commercial operations;
  • Rubbish removal (and also clearing out floors and cellars);
  • Clearing out abandoned property;
  • Pest control, with costs such as extermination and periodic inspection or removal of pigeon droppings. Installation of pigeon screens is not included;
  • Sweeping fees (chimney sweep);
  • Electricity for lighting and communal facilities, such as the stairwell, but also replacement of light bulbs, fuses or switches;
  • Insurance premiums for fire, liability and water damage;
  • Insurance premiums for glass breakage and storm damage provided that more than half of the tenants have agreed to this being passed on;
  • Management fee (there is a set administration fee per square metre of usable space and building construction year)
  • House cleaning, including wages and social payments if there is a caretaker, plus materials; 
  • Public charges, unless there is a prohibition on passing them on – offsetting of property taxes is permitted;
  • Ongoing operating costs for communal facilities (lift, heating, playground, green areas, common rooms, etc.).

However, costs such as maintenance and repair work can never be charged under operating expenses.

The same goes for any ‘disproportionate additional costs or consumption due to commercial operations ‘, which refers to costs that are significantly higher than what would be considered normal for residential use or costs that are incurred due to the operation of a business within the rented property. 

READ ALSO: Tenant or landlord – Who pays which costs in Austria?

Vienna’s association for tenants MieterHilfe has a calculator that uses average values to show whether the Betriebskosten you pay are comparatively low, medium or high. The association notes, however, that even low values could be considered unauthorised billing in some cases. In contrast, high values could be correct – the calculator only shows if you are paying too much compared to other properties in the city.

You can check the values HERE. You will need to know either the total usable area of the building or the usable area of the flat and the operating cost share—this information is usually shown in a payment statement you receive from property management. 

What if I believe I am being unfairly charged?

If you think you are paying too much, but the charges are legal – such as for water electricity etc, then you would need to raise this issue with property management. They could take measures to save on operating costs, such as replacing old light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones or setting lights to a timer instead of a traditional light switch, for example.

There are many possible reasons for high or low values, according to the City of Vienna. For example, you may pay comparatively low for water one year because of a small number of residents, while the following year, there are leaking sanitary facilities and a burst water pipe that raises costs.

Buildings with many communal areas and green spaces often tend to have higher operating costs, especially for water, electricity, and housekeeping. 

However, things are different if you think you are being unduly charged—that is, there are charges in the operating costs that do not belong there, such as unapproved construction repair.

READ ALSO: Renting in Austria – The key things foreign residents need to know

If you are unsure of the costs, there is a significant deviation from average prices for no particular reason, or you believe that you are being charged for something not legally admissible as an operating cost, you could have a free check carried out by MieterHilfe or a tenant protection organisation. 

If there is a suspicion of unauthorised billing that cannot be dispelled between tenants and the property management company, this will be clarified at the arbitration board. The arbitration board is an independent body that mediates disputes between tenants and landlords. It is a point of contact before the courts in case of difficulties or legal disputes, and its decision is legally binding.

Property management companies and landlords must settle the operating costs for the previous year by 30 June at the latest and disclose them to tenants. This deadline is set to ensure that tenants have sufficient time to review their cost statements and raise any concerns before the new rental year begins. All expenses must be itemised in the statement, providing transparency and allowing tenants to see exactly what they are being charged for.

They are obliged to provide tenants with a detailed summary of the statement and the invoice documents. If the operating costs per square metre exceed €2, a more detailed review is recommended, according to the City of Vienna.

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