Initial Advice for Tenants in Germany: WG Documents

For an initial consultation, flatshare residents should bring all relevant documents organized: ID cards or registration certificates, the current tenancy agreement, the handover protocol, bank and rent payment records and recent utility bills. Add photos of defects, correspondence with the landlord and, if applicable, powers of attorney from flatmates. Briefly note timelines and deadlines because tenant rights in Germany are based on statutory rules such as the BGB^[1]. In case of a threatened termination or eviction, civil procedure law is relevant^[2] and disputes are usually heard at the local court (Amtsgericht)^[3]. Good preparation saves time and strengthens your negotiating position. Also bring a short list of questions, note desired outcomes (repairs, rent reduction, objection) and indicate if financial aid or a housing entitlement certificate is relevant. Advice from tenant associations or municipal counseling centers helps sort the documents.

What to bring to the initial consultation

• ID card or registration certificate
• Complete tenancy agreement and amendments
• Handover protocol from move-in
• Proof of rent payments (bank statements, receipts)
• Utility bills from recent years
• Photos or videos of defects with dates
• Correspondence with the landlord, SMS or emails
• Powers of attorney or consent declarations from flatmates

Documents in detail

Tenancy agreement: Pay attention to duration, rent amount, graduated rent and clauses on subletting. Mark pages with important passages.

Handover protocol: A precise protocol helps later with rent reduction or compensation claims; date and signatures are crucial.

How the consultation proceeds

1. Collect all documents and mark the most important pages.
2. Write down concrete questions and desired outcomes for the meeting.
3. Hand over copies during the appointment; keep originals safe.
4. Note agreed deadlines and ask for a short written summary of the advice.

FAQ

Which documents does a flatshare need for the initial consultation?

All IDs, the tenancy agreement, handover protocols, payment proofs, utility bills, photos of defects, correspondence with the landlord and powers of attorney from flatmates.

Can one flatmate present documents alone?

Yes, if they have written power of attorney from the other residents or all residents agree; without power of attorney a counseling service may have restrictions on accessing certain documents.

Where should I turn in case of threatened eviction?

Promptly contact a counseling service or tenant association and note that eviction suits are regulated by civil procedure and are usually heard at the local court (Amtsgericht).

How-To

1. Collect all relevant documents in a folder or digitally in a clearly named folder.
2. Create a short chronology of events with dates and involved persons.
3. Photograph defects and save files with the date in the filename.
4. Write down questions and desired outcomes before the appointment.
5. Bring copies to the appointment and request a written recommendation or to-do list.

Help and Support / Resources

• Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJ)
• Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – gesetze-im-internet.de
• Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – gesetze-im-internet.de

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Information on courts and jurisdiction – justiz.de