Guides

Raise an Indexmiete under § 557b BGB: the VPI formula, the one-year lock period, and the Textform notice with the index figure. Calculate the new rent correctly.

Mieterhöhung (rent increase) to the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete: the Kappungsgrenze cap, Mietspiegel, deadlines and form under § 558 BGB — explained for landlords.

The Mietpreisbremse caps re-letting rent at 10% above the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete (§ 556d BGB). Exceptions, the landlord disclosure duty and deadlines, explained clearly for landlords.

After a modernisation you may pass on 8 % of the costs to the annual rent (§ 559 BGB). Kappungsgrenze, the 3-month notice and the Erhöhungserklärung — done correctly.

Passing Grundsteuer (property tax) to tenants: apportionable under § 2 Nr. 1 BetrKV, but only with a clause in the Mietvertrag. What the 2025 Grundsteuerreform changes.

How to create a correct Heizkostenabrechnung: the 50–70% by-consumption split, the 15% Kürzungsrecht, deadlines and which costs are umlagefähig — for landlords.

How to create a correct Nebenkostenabrechnung: the 12-month deadline, which costs are umlagefähig, the Umlageschlüssel and common mistakes — for landlords in Germany.

How landlords must hold the Mietkaution (rental deposit): max three Nettokaltmieten, separate from personal assets, insolvency-proof and interest-bearing. Interest belongs to the tenant – § 551 BGB.

When may landlords keep the Kaution and when must it be returned? Inspection period, permitted deductions and retention for the Nebenkostenabrechnung – § 551 BGB.

Can landlords ban pets in Germany? What's allowed for dogs, cats and small animals, why a blanket ban is void (§ 535 BGB, BGH ruling) and how to draft a valid clause.

Draft a watertight Kleinreparaturklausel: the valid per-repair and annual caps, which repairs count, and when the whole clause becomes void and you pay it all.

Bestellerprinzip for rentals: the landlord pays the Makler (§ 2 WoVermRG). Capped at 2 net cold rents plus VAT; passing it to the tenant is void.

Draft a legally sound residential Mietvertrag: required details, fixed-term or open-ended, Staffelmiete or Indexmiete, Kaution limits and invalid clauses – step by step for landlords.

Staffelmiete (stepped rent, § 557a BGB) or Indexmiete (index-linked rent, § 557b BGB)? How landlords agree a predictable Mieterhöhung – rules, limits and comparison.

The Übergabeprotokoll at move-in: why it is not mandatory but your most important Beweis for the Kaution – and what landlords should record in Zählerstände, Mängel and keys.

Document move-in and move-out properly: what belongs in the Übergabeprotokoll, why it secures your Beweislast for the Kaution, and the mistakes landlords should avoid.

Viewings for a sale or re-let: how many appointments the tenant must tolerate, what advance notice applies, and how to organise viewings on solid legal ground.

Eigenbedarfskündigung under § 573 Abs. 2 Nr. 2 BGB: who qualifies, how to justify it correctly, notice periods (3/6/9 months) and the risk of faking personal use.

When and how landlords may terminate a tenancy: legitimate interest, Eigenbedarf, notice periods (3/6/9 months) and fristlose Kündigung under § 573 BGB.

Evicting a non-paying tenant: fristlose Kündigung under § 543 BGB once arrears exceed two months' rent, then Räumungsklage, Räumungstitel and Zwangsvollstreckung – steps, duration, costs.

When must landlords permit Untervermietung and when may they refuse? § 553 BGB, berechtigtes Interesse, Untermietzuschlag and Kündigung – explained clearly.

Can a foreigner own and rent out property in Germany? Yes. Non-resident landlord tax (§ 49 EStG), your duties under § 556, § 551 and § 80 GEG, VAT on rent, and how to let from abroad.

Fill in the Anlage V correctly: tax rental income, deduct Werbungskosten and AfA, meet the deadline. Every § and figure for German landlords in 2026.

Taxing rental income as a landlord: Einkünfte aus Vermietung und Verpachtung (§ 21 EStG), deducting Werbungskosten and AfA, the thresholds. For 2026.

Energieausweis (energy certificate) when renting out in Germany: when it is mandatory, which type, presenting it at viewings and handover (§ 80 GEG), plus the fine.

Noise and Ruhestörung in a rental: Ruhezeiten, noise as a defect (§ 536 BGB), the Hausordnung, Abmahnung and Kündigung under § 569 Abs. 2 BGB. How landlords act on solid legal ground in 2026.

Mietrückstand and Zahlungsverzug: when a tenant is in default, how to issue a Mahnung, calculate Verzugszinsen, and when § 543 BGB allows immediate termination.

Got a Mängelanzeige? What obligates landlords to repair, what deadline applies, and when Mietminderung or Selbstvornahme kick in – §§ 535, 536, 536a, 536c BGB.

Landlords have no general right of access. When you may enter the flat, what advance notice (Ankündigungsfrist) applies, and when unannounced entry becomes a criminal offence – explained clearly.

Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung as a landlord: the tenant has no legal claim to one (BGH VIII ZR 238/08). When to issue it voluntarily and what belongs in it.

Check your Indexmiete and calculate the VPI increase yourself: the formula, minimum 1-year gap, Textform with index figures (§ 557b BGB). Know if the increase is correct.

Check your Mieterhöhung against the Kappungsgrenze, the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete and the consent deadline under § 558 BGB – and learn exactly how to respond.

Mietpreisbremse check: in designated areas, a new tenancy's rent may exceed the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete by at most 10%. How to challenge an overcharge and reclaim it.

When your flat is modernised, the landlord may add 8 % of the costs to the rent (§ 559 BGB), capped at 3 €/m². Duldungspflicht, Härteeinwand and your Sonderkündigungsrecht – your rights in 2026.

Check a Staffelmiete or Indexmiete: fixed euro amounts and 12 months per step (§ 557a), VPI link and Textform for index rent (§ 557b). How to tell whether the increase is legal.

Check your Heizkostenabrechnung as a tenant: the 50–70% consumption rule (§ 7 HeizkostenV), the 15% Kürzungsrecht (§ 12), the 12-month deadlines (§ 556 BGB) and your Belegeinsicht.

Check your Nebenkostenabrechnung as a tenant: the two 12-month deadlines under § 556 BGB, which costs are umlagefähig, and how to object to errors. Step by step.

Your Mietkaution under § 551 BGB: at most three Nettokaltmieten, payable in three monthly instalments. Where the landlord must hold it and who gets the interest.

Reclaiming your Kaution (security deposit) under § 551 BGB: landlords get a review period of usually 3–6 months. How to get your deposit back with interest.

Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Germany? Yes — German tenancy law protects every tenant regardless of nationality. The documents you need, renting without a SCHUFA, your deposit limit and your rights.

Can your landlord ban pets in Germany? Which animals you may keep without permission, why a blanket ban is void (§ 535 BGB, BGH) and how to get consent for a dog or cat.

Kleinreparaturklausel in your Mietvertrag: when do you as a tenant have to pay, and when not? Limits, the 4 requirements, and when the clause is void.

Maklerprovision (broker commission) when renting: under the Bestellerprinzip, whoever orders the broker pays (§ 2 Abs. 1a WoVermRG). As a tenant you usually pay nothing.

Check your Mietvertrag before signing: the Kaution may not exceed 3 Nettokaltmieten (§ 551 BGB), and Schönheitsreparaturen and Kleinreparatur clauses are often void. What to look for.

Wohnungsbesichtigung for sale or re-letting: how often, how long and with what notice must you allow viewings? Your rights as a tenant, clearly explained.

Wohnungsübergabe at move-out: what tenants put in the Übergabeprotokoll, what they are liable for, when they need not renovate, and how to protect the Kaution.

Got an Eigenbedarfskündigung? A valid notice needs a concrete, named reason (§ 573 BGB). You can object (Widerspruch, § 574) up to 2 months before the Frist ends. Here is how.

As a tenant you always give three months' notice (§ 573c BGB) – the Kündigung must arrive by the 3rd working day and be signed on paper. Here is how to do it right.

Want out of your lease early? Here is how the Nachmieter works: you have no automatic right, but a Nachmieterklausel or a special interest can free you. How to do it right.

Taking in a subtenant: for part of your flat you have a right to the landlord's Erlaubnis under § 553 BGB. How to request it correctly and when the landlord may refuse.

When tenants may sublet: § 553 BGB gives a claim to permission for part of the dwelling. How to handle a WG (shared flat) and Untermiete (subletting) correctly.

Energieausweis when renting: the landlord must show it to you unprompted (§ 80 GEG). What your rights as a tenant are, explained in plain English.

Ruhestörung (noise disturbance) in a German rental 2026: quiet hours, when noise is a defect, how much Mietminderung is allowed, and when a tenant can be evicted.

Landlord won't repair? How to report a Mangel correctly, set a deadline and reduce the rent (§ 536, § 536c BGB) — with a template and reduction rates.

Mietminderung for mould, no heating or noise: how much you may reduce, how to report the defect, and why to keep paying under Vorbehalt. Clearly explained for tenants.

Schimmel (mould) is a Mangel: you may reduce the rent (§ 536 BGB) unless you caused it. Report it in writing at once (Mängelanzeige, § 536c BGB) and document everything.

Schönheitsreparaturen on move-out: only a valid clause in your Mietvertrag obliges you. Many are void under BGH case law – then you paint nothing.

Can your landlord enter your apartment in Germany? Your rights as a tenant: no general right of access, only with a concrete reason and advance notice.

After moving you must register within 14 days (§ 17 BMG). How the Anmeldung works, what the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung is, and the fine you risk if you miss the deadline.

Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung 2026: there is no legal right to one (BGH VIII ZR 238/08). What it states, what it costs, and the alternative that works just as well.