Rental Law Blog
Practical tips and legal basics for tenants in Germany
BGH Ruling: Switch to Commercial Heat Delivery — Tenants Pay Only Baseline Costs
BGH VIII ZR 46/25 + 47/25: When switching from individual heating to commercial contracting, § 556c BGB does not apply — tenants need not bear contractor surcharges.
Read more →Subletting in Germany: When Must the Landlord Agree? (BGH 2026)
BGH VIII ZR 228/23: Profitable subletting forbidden. § 540 vs § 553 BGB, surcharge rules, and when the landlord must agree.
Read more →BGH Ruling: Unauthorized Renovation Does Not Automatically Justify Termination
BGH VIII ZR 274/23: Tenant renovated bathroom and kitchen without permission — termination still invalid. What this ruling means for tenants.
Read more →Rent Brake (Mietpreisbremse) 2026: Does It Apply? Calculator, Complaint & Refund
Mietpreisbremse explained: where it applies (800+ cities), how to calculate max rent, file a complaint, and reclaim overpaid rent.
Read more →Heating Broken in Winter: 100 % Rent Reduction + Emergency Steps
Heating down? Landlord must act within 3–4 days. Rent reduction up to 100 %, self-remedy rights, and termination without notice.
Read more →Landlord Entered Without Permission: Is It Trespassing?
Landlord used spare key? When entry is allowed (only 5 cases), trespassing charges, and your right to change the locks.
Read more →Apartment Handover Checklist: Prevent Unfair Deductions (+ Protocol)
Handover checklist, what counts as "normal wear and tear", 3 common landlord tricks, and why a protocol protects your deposit.
Read more →Rent Increase 2026: Cap Limits, Rent Brake & How to Object
Got a rent increase? Cap limit (20 %), rent brake, 3 deadlines landlords must meet — and when you can legally refuse.
Read more →Mold in Your Apartment: Who Is Liable + Up to 100 % Rent Reduction
Landlord or tenant at fault? Burden of proof, reduction rates (20–100 %), defect notice, and when immediate termination is possible.
Read more →Lease Termination: Notice Periods, 3 Common Errors & Objection
Notice periods (3–9 months), 3 formal errors that invalidate a termination, and how the hardship objection under § 574 BGB works.
Read more →Fight Eigenbedarf Termination: 4 Reasons It May Be Invalid
Received an Eigenbedarf notice? 4 common formal errors, hardship objection (§ 574 BGB), and when you don't have to move out.
Read more →Cosmetic Repairs When Moving Out: When the Clause Is Invalid
German Federal Court: rigid deadline clauses are void. Which renovation clauses are invalid and when you owe nothing at move-out.
Read more →Noisy Neighbors: Quiet Hours, Noise Log & Up to 50 % Rent Reduction
Quiet hours (10 PM–6 AM), how to keep a noise log, when rent reduction applies, and what your landlord must do.
Read more →Rent Reduction in Germany 2026: Table, Court Rulings & Template
Rent reduction table with 30+ defects and exact percentages. Incl. court rulings, calculation example, and free template letter.
Read more →Get Your Deposit Back: 6-Month Deadline, Interest & Template
Landlord not returning your deposit? Deadlines (max 6 months), allowed deductions, interest claims, and a free template letter.
Read more →Check Your Utility Bill: 5 Common Errors + How to Object
Every 2nd utility bill contains errors. The 5 most common mistakes, a review checklist, and the 12-month objection deadline.
Read more →Have a specific question?
Ask your individual rental law question and get a well-founded answer right away.
Try for free