Many consumers have a so-called price guarantee in their electricity contracts. This actually ensures stable prices for them. But the first providers are ignoring their contractual commitments. Consumers are not at the mercy of this, however.
FOCUS online users also repeatedly report drastic price increases from their suppliers. This affects both gas and electricity customers, sometimes despite the price guarantee.
Such guarantees mean that the current prices for gas or electricity remain valid for a precisely defined period of time. A guarantee is given until an end date, approximately December 31, 2022. Or for example for one year from the date of order placement.
Reader Anita R., for example, emailed FOCUS online: She had “received mail from Stadtwerke Neustadt am Rübenberge”. It’s about price increases. Already the third in the current year. The reader writes: In February she received an additional payment of 250 euros with the annual statement. As well as the announcement that the discounts will increase to 344 euros from March. The next price increase followed in May. Electricity went up by 35 percent and gas by as much as 100 percent. Recently, another increase in the tee follows. From August it will be 645 euros – roughly doubling over the course of 2022.
Another example: Marc S. is a customer at Vattenfall/Easy24Gas. He writes that the current contract costs “179 euros a month”. Almost a bargain price compared to the announced increase, because: “For a new contract, monthly deductions from 627.11 euros would have to be paid at the moment.”
No wonder many consumers are concerned about upcoming energy bills.
Not only customers of Stadtwerke Neustadt am Rübenberge or Vattenfall/Easy24Gas are affected. The energy discounter Extra Energie also wants more money from customers.
In a report, the “Bild” newspaper names other energy suppliers such as
Some providers cite the Ukraine war as the reason for their drastic price increases. From their point of view, it is a disruption to the basis of business and justifies price increases. They refer to paragraph 313 BGB (Civil Code).
Consumer advocates, for example from the consumer aid for electricity providers, criticize the actions of such providers. Consumers should not accept the price increases. The same applies here: suppliers would have to stick to contracts.
The consumer help electricity provider doubts that the reference to Section 313 BGB is legally tenable. Consumers should definitely object in writing. They can also refuse higher deductions.
Consumers do not have to worry that the providers may threaten to stop deliveries. Because then they would be liable to their customers for damages.
Anyone who wants to defend themselves against price increases and is afraid of the costs of going to a lawyer can contact the energy arbitration board. There are no extra costs for customers. However, they have to be patient. Such procedures can currently take a few months because more and more consumers are turning to the arbitration board.
The consumer centers have further advice for affected customers. Price increases must be announced at least six weeks in advance. The current Ukraine war and the high energy prices do not change this requirement.
With a correctly announced price increase, consumers can check whether they can save money by switching suppliers. The following applies: Consumers have a special right of termination in the event of price changes. This allows the contract to be terminated at the point at which the price increase takes effect.
The consumer associations point out that suppliers are allowed to raise prices if individual cost blocks of the total electricity price increase over which the providers have no influence – such as transmission fees. At least that’s the case for primary care providers. In special contracts, on the other hand, the law prescribes something else: Here, a so-called right to change prices must be expressly agreed in the general terms and conditions.
If this is not the case, price increases are ineffective.
