operating costs / service charges
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service charges
The ongoing costs incurred for the use and maintenance of a property and paid by the tenant in addition to the basic rent, e.g. for water, heating, and garbage collection. Synonymous with Nebenkosten (additional costs/service charges).
Die monatliche Miete beträgt 750 Euro zuzüglich 150 Euro für die Betriebskosten.
The monthly rent is 750 euros plus 150 euros for service charges.
operating costs
The total ongoing costs incurred for running a business, such as personnel costs, rent for business premises, and energy costs.
Durch die Modernisierung der Anlagen konnte das Unternehmen seine Betriebskosten erheblich senken.
By modernizing the facilities, the company was able to significantly lower its operating costs.
The word consists of 'Betrieb' (operation) and 'Kosten' (costs). The 's' in the middle is a linking element that connects the two words. Literally, then, these are 'costs for operation'.
Die Firma muss ihre hohen Betriebskosten senken, um wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.
The company has to lower its high operating costs in order to remain competitive.
The context makes the meaning clear. In connection with 'Miete' (rent), 'Wohnung' (apartment), or 'Mieter' (tenant), it refers to service charges. In the context of 'Firma' (company), 'Unternehmen' (business), or 'Produktion' (production), it refers to the costs of business operations.
In der Miete sind die Betriebskosten für Heizung und Wasser bereits enthalten.
The service charges for heating and water are already included in the rent.
In tenancy law, Betriebskosten (service charges) are 'umgelegt' (passed on) to tenants or 'abgerechnet' (settled/billed) at the end of the year. In housing ads, you often find the abbreviation 'zzgl. BK' (zuzüglich Betriebskosten — plus service charges).
Der Vermieter muss einmal im Jahr die Betriebskosten abrechnen.
The landlord has to settle the service charges once a year.
In a business context, the goal is often to 'senken' (lower), 'reduzieren' (reduce), or precisely 'kalkulieren' (calculate) the Betriebskosten (operating costs). They are an important part of accounting.
Durch den Einsatz neuer Maschinen konnten wir die Betriebskosten deutlich senken.
By using new machines, we were able to significantly lower the operating costs.
maintenance / support
Both words can refer to the ongoing costs of a property. „Unterhalt“ is broader and can also include the costs of maintenance and upkeep, whereas Betriebskosten mainly arise regularly from using the property. For the additional ongoing costs of a rented apartment, „Betriebskosten“ is usually the better term; for its overall upkeep, use „Unterhalt“.
Die Betriebskosten der Mietwohnung werden zusätzlich zur Kaltmiete bezahlt.
The service charges for the rented apartment are paid in addition to the basic rent.
Der Unterhalt des alten Hauses kostet jedes Jahr viel Geld.
Maintaining the old house costs a lot of money every year.
