Avoid Shared Kitchen Mistakes for Tenants in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, using shared kitchens can lead to misunderstandings, repair issues, or conflicts over modernization. This article explains in practical terms which typical mistakes occur in organization, cleaning, cost allocation and structural changes, how tenancy law in § 535 et seq. of the BGB is relevant and which rights and obligations you have. You will receive clear action steps for documenting damages, communicating with the landlord, involving property management and safely carrying out minor repairs. Using concrete examples you will see when a formal letter makes sense and how deadlines must be observed. The goal is for tenants to assert their interests securely and reduce cost or liability risks in communal areas.

What are common mistakes?

Common mistakes arise from missing agreements on use, insufficient cleaning and unclear billing of costs; tenancy law in § 535 et seq. BGB often applies^[1] and provides the framework rules.

• Unclear rules for the use and cleaning of communal areas lead to conflicts.
• Cost allocation for consumption, cleaning or replacement parts is often not regulated in writing.
• Structural changes without tenant or landlord consent cause legal disputes.
• Lack of documentation of damage makes later evidence collection difficult.
• Access and privacy issues are rarely clarified early enough.

What to do about damage and repairs?

Act systematically: document defects with date and photos, inform the landlord in writing and set a reasonable deadline for remedy; in escalating cases, legal steps under civil procedure rules may be possible^[2].

• Documentation: record photos, dates, persons involved and consequences.
• Send a written defect notice to the landlord and set a deadline for remedy.
• Name deadlines clearly: within how many days should remedy be expected.
• If there is no response, seek legal advice and consider informing the local court.

How-To

1. Document the defect thoroughly with photos and notes.
2. Send a formal defect notice to the landlord and request remedy within a concrete deadline.
3. If no remedy occurs, state in the notice which legal steps may follow.
4. If inactivity continues, consider court options at the competent local court or a payment order^[3].

FAQ

Can I reduce the rent if the shared kitchen is unusable?

Yes. If use is significantly restricted, a rent reduction may be possible under the BGB provisions; document the extent and duration and inform the landlord in writing.

Who pays for modernization of the shared kitchen?

Generally, the landlord bears the costs for structural modernizations; changes in cost allocation may be regulated in the tenancy agreement; check bills and rights under §§ 535 et seq. BGB.

How do I file a formal defect notice?

Write a short, factual defect notice with a concrete deadline, attach photos and send the letter in a verifiable way (registered mail or email with confirmation).

Key Takeaways

• Documentation and written defect notices are the basis for enforcing rights.
• Clear rules on use and cost allocation prevent many conflicts.
• For persistent problems, the local court and judiciary are the next points of contact.

Help and Support / Resources

• §535 BGB on gesetze-im-internet.de
• Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) on gesetze-im-internet.de
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – judgments and press releases

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1. [1] §535 BGB on gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] ZPO on gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – judgments and press releases