Definition at a glance
In housing benefit law, appropriate housing costs refer to the amounts for rent or burden that can be subsidized up to a legally defined maximum limit. This limit depends on the rent level of the city and the household size.
What does 'appropriate' mean?
Unlike with Citizen's Allowance, 'appropriate' in housing benefit does not mean that the apartment must not exceed a certain size or price to receive help at all. Rather, the Housing Benefit Act (WoGG) specifies maximum amounts. If your actual costs are higher, only the maximum amount is used for the calculation. Costs below the limit are fully considered.
The importance of the rent level
Every municipality in Germany is assigned to a rent level (I to VII). Duisburg currently belongs to rent level III. This classification is based on the average local rent level and determines the level of the table values in the WoGG, which serve as the upper limit.
Eligible cost components
When determining housing costs, the following elements are taken into account:
- Gross cold rent: The basic rent plus cold operating costs (e.g., water, waste disposal).
- Heating cost component: A flat-rate amount for relief on energy costs (introduced with Housing Benefit Plus).
- Climate component: An additional supplement if the building has been energetically renovated.
Legal Basis
The central regulations on maximum amounts can be found in Section 12 WoGG. The assignment of rent levels is regulated in the Housing Benefit Ordinance (WoGV).