Just wondering what is usually included in Nebenkosten (don't know the English word for it other than maybe "utility surcharge"). This is a fairly significant amount of money each month, but we have been told that it covers only heating of common areas, and our water usage, as well as maintenance of the grounds and common areas (cleaning, mowing etc.).

It just seems like an awful lot of money. In the mean time, we have started getting invoices from the electric utility, but because we were under the (apparently mistaken) impression that Nebenkosten also included electricity for our apartment, we did not take a meter reading of any kind when we moved in.

Any insights on the nebulous concept of nebenkosten would be much appreciated.

Well done for being the first to post in the new forum.

My Nebenkosten in my old rented place covered:
heating (up to a point it was all included then oil prices went skywards)
basic cable TV connection
lighting of common areas
cleaning of common areas

I always got my own 'leccy bill.

To add to what Lob said, electricity in your apartment is not covered by the nebenkosten and you will have to pay it separately.

Keep in mind that what you pay is normally "a Conto" that means it's an estimation. Normally each year (for me it's somewhere in summer) you will get a detailed list of what was paid out and the definitive amount. If you paid more they'll give you the money back but if it is more than what you paid then you'll get an extra invoice for the difference. Normally the estimation is prety accurate but this year the winter was mild so finger crossed.

Sounds like we are typical then in terms of what's included. Thanks for the clarification.

There are 2 ways of dealing with nebenkosten: akonto or pauschal. Akonto, as pointed out, means a fixed amount is paid per year, then at the end of the year this is compared to the actual costs and the tenant either get some monies erfunded or has to pay the difference. Pauschal is also optional, but is getting less common - this is a fixed cost per month, without any extra to pay or get back at the end of the year. The actual pauschal is calculated every 3 years or so.
So... check your contract to see if you're on an 'akonto' or 'pauschal' payment option.
For extra info about nebenkosten, there is quite a good website at http://www.heizabrechnung.ch/ but it is all in German.

Is Cost of Utilities included in the rent? if not, is it possible to get it included as part of the rent. what is the approximate cost for a 5-6 bed apartment/house in Zurich. Thx

and by "utilities" you mean energy and water? Electricity, water and heating is never included in the rent in Switzerland and there's no way to get that into your contract.
As for the costs: go have a look at homegate.ch - they have a very large selection of apartments all over Switzerland.
For a 5-6 room apartment or house you'd pay around 3500 to 4500 fr / month here in Basel. Might be even more expensive in Zurich.

Not in the rent, but some are included as Nebenkosten which is using added as a estimate supplement to your rent, and made actual at the end of the year, based on a share of the building costs.

dave

I'm confused by the list of Nebenkosten on the Flat contract. It includes: "TV und Urheberrechtsgebühren".

As I translate it, it is TV and Author rights fees. Do you think it is only Billag? or is it also the basic Cablecom fee?

5/6 bedroom apartment/house in Zurich? To rent?

Somewhere in the range of CHF 5,000 to CHF 10,000 per month.

Check homegate.ch and see for yourself.