Key Loss for Tenants in Germany
As a tenant in Germany it is important to know what to do if you lose your apartment key. This text explains in plain language what duties tenants and landlords have, when liability or household insurance may cover costs and which deadlines must be observed. You will learn how to document damage, which official sample forms exist and when replacing locks is justified. Practical examples show typical costs and steps for reporting a claim to insurers and how to behave if keys are lost outside the home. The goal is that tenants can act quickly and legally secure, minimise costs and know their rights in discussions with the landlord and in court proceedings. Act immediately.
What to do if you lose your key?
Act calmly, document the loss immediately and inform the relevant parties. Check whether you gave out spare keys, who has access, and whether the landlord or property manager is involved. In some cases the landlord is justified in replacing the lock if there is a concrete risk to the security of the apartment.
- Contact the landlord / Vermieter kontaktieren and report the loss.
- Create a damage record: photos, witnesses, notes and receipts.
- Prepare forms: fill in a sample claim form or a written report for your insurer.
- Observe deadlines: reporting deadlines for insurers and response times towards the landlord.
Insurance: Liability & Household
In general, private liability insurance can cover damage to third-party property, for example if a replacement lock must be paid because of lost keys. Household insurance applies when keys are connected to an insured household event (e.g. a break-in). Check the exact insurance terms and report the claim in writing immediately.
For legal questions about duties and reimbursement of expenses, refer to tenancy law in the BGB [1]. If there is a dispute about costs or the necessary replacement of locks, court proceedings at the local court may be relevant; observe the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure [2].
Practical examples
Example 1: A tenant loses the key outside the home and fears a stranger could combine key and address. The tenant informs the landlord, documents the loss and, if there is justified danger, has the lock replaced. Cost question: the landlord may claim reimbursement, but compensation depends on causation and contract terms.
Example 2: Keys are stolen and a burglary occurs. Household insurance will assess coverage; additionally the perpetrator's liability may be relevant. In contested cases the local court decides; appeal is possible to the regional court and the Federal Court of Justice as a precedential instance [3].
FAQ
- Who pays for a new lock if I, as a tenant, lose the key?
- It depends on cause and contract: often the tenant bears the cost if they lost the key themselves; exceptions apply if the landlord violated security obligations or insurance pays.
- Does my liability insurance cover replacing the lock?
- Private liability may cover costs if your negligence led to damage to someone elses property or a third party could be harmed; check your policy and report the claim promptly.
- Do I have to hand over spare keys to the landlord?
- If you have spare keys you should hand them over. In case of loss you must inform the landlord and possibly bear costs for replacement or new cylinders.
How-To
- Document the extent of the loss: time, place, circumstances and possible witnesses.
- Inform the landlord and, if applicable, the property manager immediately.
- Complete a claim form or a written report to your insurer.
- Check insurance coverage and clarify who pays which costs.
- If necessary, prepare documents for proceedings at the local court (photos, correspondence, invoices).
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) §§ 535–580a — gesetze-im-internet.de
- [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) — bundesgerichtshof.de
