Heat Cost Allocator: Sample Objection and Cost Sharing Letter

How Are Heating Costs Shared?

In buildings with central heating and heat cost allocators fitted, heating costs are split into two parts:

• Consumption share: Seventy percent of the total heating cost is distributed according to the measured consumption of each unit.
• Common use share: The remaining thirty percent is distributed according to the floor area of each unit, independently of consumption.

This split derives from legislation; the management cannot apply a different ratio on its own. Domestic hot water costs are measured and allocated separately.

Does Turning Off the Radiators Reduce the Bill to Zero?

No. Even if a unit's radiators are fully closed, the owner remains liable for the thirty percent common use share. That share covers stairwells, corridors and distribution losses.

In addition, because of heat transfer from neighbouring flats, a minimum consumption share may be applied to units recording zero consumption. This should be visible in the management plan and the allocation company's report.

When Can an Objection Be Made?

• The allocator is faulty or no reading was taken
• An estimated (average) consumption has been applied that does not reflect reality
• The seventy/thirty split has been applied incorrectly
• The floor area has been entered incorrectly
• There is a long gap between reading dates

Copyable Objection Letter Sample

……………………… APARTMENT / COMPLEX

TO THE MANAGEMENT

Subject: My objection to the heating cost allocation for the period …………….

I am the owner/tenant of independent unit no. …… in ……………………… Apartment/Complex.

The allocation schedule for the period …………… charges my unit ………… TRY. I object to that charge on the following grounds:

1. ……………………… (the allocator is faulty and no reading was taken / an estimated consumption has been applied / my unit's floor area is shown as …… m² instead of …… m² / the seventy/thirty split has been applied incorrectly).

2. For the same period, units of similar size were charged ………… TRY while my unit was charged ………… TRY. The difference is unexplained.

I therefore request:

a) That the allocators in my unit be checked and replaced if necessary,

b) That the raw readings and the allocation calculation for the period be provided to me in writing,

c) That the calculation be redone and any overcharge credited.

I confirm that I will continue to pay with a reservation of rights until my objection is resolved.

I submit the above for your consideration. …/…/20…

Full Name: ………………………    Unit No: ……    Signature: ………

ANNEX: Copy of the allocation schedule for the period

Copyable Cost Allocation Notice (For the Management)

……………………… APARTMENT / COMPLEX MANAGEMENT

HEATING COST ALLOCATION NOTICE

Period: …/…/20… – …/…/20…    Date of notice: …/…/20…

1. TOTAL COST FOR THE PERIOD
Fuel: ………… TRY
Allocation and reading service: ………… TRY
Maintenance and operation: ………… TRY
Total heating cost: ………… TRY

2. ALLOCATION BASIS
Distributed by consumption (70%): ………… TRY
Distributed by floor area (30%): ………… TRY

3. CHARGE FOR THE UNIT
Unit No: ……   Floor area: …… m²
Consumption for the period: ………… units
Consumption share: ………… TRY
Common use share: ………… TRY
Total charge: ………… TRY

4. PAYMENT
Due date: …/…/20…   Account: ………………

5. OBJECTIONS
A written objection may be submitted to the management within …… days of service of this notice. Upon objection the readings and calculation are reviewed.

Raw reading data is provided in writing on request.

……………………… Apartment/Complex Management

Manager: ……………… (Full Name) — Signature

Filling Guide

In the objection, compare your own figures with others. Showing the difference against a similar unit is far more effective than saying "it seems too high".

Request the raw readings. Seeing only the charged amount will not let you identify an error.

State that you are paying with a reservation of rights. Withholding payment attracts late payment compensation, while paying does not waive the objection.

After the Objection

The management must review the readings and the calculation. If an error is found, the overcharge is credited in the following period.

If no result follows, the matter can be taken to the general assembly, and an application may be made to the Civil Court of Peace alleging that the allocation method breaches the legislation. If the allocator is shown to have been faulty, past charges may also be corrected.

Common Mistakes

• Stopping payment: an objection does not suspend the debt; late payment compensation accrues.
• Not requesting raw data: errors can only be identified from the readings.
• Assuming closed radiators mean no bill: the common use share is payable regardless.
• Not checking the floor area: an incorrect area is the most frequent source of error.
• Objecting verbally: without a dated written objection the process does not start.

This content and these templates are for information only and are examples. Heat cost allocation is governed by technical legislation; consult the current rules and the allocation company's report.