Correct AGG Complaint: Tenants in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, you can file or have an AGG complaint corrected if you experience discrimination in housing. This guide clearly explains what an AGG complaint means, which rights tenants have under the AGG and the BGB, which deadlines and proofs are important, and how to proceed formally. You receive concrete action steps for documentation, submitting a written complaint, and preparing in case a court must be involved. We name official laws and the competent courts as well as practical template forms and show how you can enforce your rights without legal jargon. At the end you will find links to official authorities and footnotes with legal texts.

What is an AGG complaint?

The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects people from discrimination. An AGG complaint documents and reports experienced discrimination with the aim of obtaining injunctions or damages; it does not replace tenancy law claims but can complement them.^[1]

When are tenants affected?

Tenants are affected when landlords or housemates display behavior that discriminates based on protected characteristics such as gender, religion, disability or origin. In parallel, the BGB regulates a landlord's obligations for use and maintenance of the rental property; in individual cases both AGG and tenancy law rules may apply.^[2]

• Collect evidence (evidence): photos, emails, text messages and witness statements.
• Note deadlines (deadline): date, time and response deadlines for incidents.
• Keep the lease and statements (form) as well as prior correspondence.

How-To

1. Document the incident fully (evidence): date, time, participants and exact words or actions.
2. Draft a written complaint (form): describe the incident, demand cessation and state the remedy you want.
3. Send the complaint by registered mail or electronically with read confirmation and observe statutory deadlines (deadline).
4. If escalation occurs, a lawsuit at the competent local court may be necessary; inform yourself about procedural steps.^[3]
5. Seek advice from official agencies or counseling offices before initiating court proceedings.

Key Takeaways

• Thorough documentation is crucial and often decisive for a complaint's success.
• Observe deadlines for complaints and potential legal actions.
• Use official counseling centers and authoritative information sources.

Help and Support

• Gesetze im Internet: General Equal Treatment Act (AGG)
• Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) – information and guidance
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – decisions and information

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1. [1] Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG) — gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] BGB §535 ff. (Mietverhältnis) — gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) — gesetze-im-internet.de