Pets & Tenancy Law in Germany: Avoid Mistakes

As a tenant in Germany it is important to handle pet issues correctly under the law. This guide explains clearly and practically which mistakes tenants commonly make, which rights and duties arise from tenancy law and how to legally protect yourself in 2025. You will receive concrete steps for documenting damage, tips on permissible contract clauses and examples for discussion and wording with the landlord. We name the relevant statutory provisions and show when a court can be involved so you can avoid conflicts or be prepared to respond.

What are the most common mistakes with pets?

Many tenants underestimate formal details or fail to document problems adequately. Typical mistakes can often be avoided with simple steps:

• No clear consent or missing clause in the lease (form), leading to later disputes.
• No agreements on deposit or additional costs (deposit), resulting in unexpected claims.
• Damage by pets is not documented or reported immediately (repair), weakening the evidence.
• Few or no photos and records (record) as evidence in later disputes.
• Not knowing legal deadlines and possible court steps (court) leads to missed rights.

Rights and duties in tenancy law

Landlords and tenants have clear duties under the German Civil Code, for example regarding the preservation of the rental property; details can be found in the statutory provisions on leases and maintenance ^[1]. For legal proceedings, the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure apply ^[2]. Practically this means: inform the landlord in writing about damages, set a deadline for repairs and document deadlines and responses.

Concrete precautions

Protect yourself as a tenant with these concrete measures:

• Document damage immediately with date and photo (record).
• Send all messages by email and additionally by registered mail if necessary (form).
• Set reasonable deadlines for repair (deadline).
• Seek advice early from official bodies or the local court (contact).

How-To

1. Collect evidence: take photos, note date and time, save pet papers and veterinary certificates (record).
2. Inform the landlord: send a written defect notice with a request for remedy (form).
3. Set a deadline: give a reasonable grace period and name possible next steps (deadline).
4. Obtain advice: use official legal information or the local court for procedural questions (contact).
5. Legal path: if necessary, prepare documents for a lawsuit and file them with the competent local court (court).

FAQ

Can the landlord generally ban pets?

A general ban is often ineffective; clauses must be proportionate and allow individual consideration. Check the wording in the contract and document your request to the landlord.

Do I have to pay for damage caused by my pet?

Tenants are generally liable for caused damage. Documentation and timely reporting can reduce disputes and affect the amount of claims.

What deadlines apply to defect notifications?

There is no single deadline for all cases, but you should report immediately and set a reasonable grace period; procedural deadlines apply in court cases.

Help and Support / Resources

• German Civil Code (BGB) - gesetze-im-internet.de
• Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) - gesetze-im-internet.de
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – Decisions

1. [1] German Civil Code (BGB) — gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) — gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Federal Court of Justice (BGH) — bundesgerichtshof.de