Pet Ownership Rules for Tenants in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, keeping pets can lead to uncertainty or disputes with your landlord. This guide explains in plain language tenants' rights and obligations, which clauses in rental agreements are permissible, and how to resolve conflicts calmly and legally. You will learn when pet keeping is generally allowed, how to request permission informally, which written proofs help, and what deadlines apply for objection or legal action. Practical templates, guidance on authorities and competent courts, and steps for rent reductions or warnings are included. The aim is to find simple solutions and avoid legal proceedings where possible.

Rights and Obligations

The main duties of landlords and tenants are set out in §§ 535–580a of the BGB; these include the landlord’s maintenance obligation and the tenant’s duty of use.^[1] An explicit or implied permission from the landlord can be decisive: some blanket bans on pets may not always be legally effective. For serious disputes, the local Amtsgericht has jurisdiction; procedural matters are governed by the Zivilprozessordnung.^[2]

Practical Steps for Conflicts

• Request permission in writing and propose concrete rules (e.g. no free roaming, leash policy)
• Document: photos, dates, witnesses and neighbor complaints
• Set a deadline for remedying disturbances and ask for a response
• Consider rent reduction if living quality is significantly affected (e.g. strong odor, pests)
• If no agreement is reached, consider a warning and possibly seek court resolution

FAQ

Do I generally need the landlord's permission for a pet?

Often yes; landlords usually must approve larger or exotic animals. For small pets (e.g. hamsters), courts often do not require permission. Specific outcomes depend on the contract wording and any disturbances.

Can I reduce the rent because of pet odor or noise?

Yes, if the living quality is significantly impaired. Documentation of disturbances and setting deadlines are prerequisites; a court will decide in case of dispute.

When can eviction be threatened because of pet keeping?

Eviction may be possible if, despite warning and deadline, the behavior significantly breaches the lease (e.g. repeated serious nuisance or dangerous animals).

How-To

1. Check your rental agreement for pet clauses and note relevant passages
2. Request permission in writing; attach brief house rules (leash, hygiene, liability insurance proof)
3. Document communications, disturbances and actions with dates and photos
4. Set a reasonable deadline for the landlord to respond or remedy
5. If no agreement, consider filing a claim at the Amtsgericht with your evidence

Help and Support

• Local Amtsgericht: filing and jurisdiction information
• Gesetze im Internet: BGB (Civil Code)
• Bundesgerichtshof (BGH): case law and rulings

1. [1] Gesetze im Internet: BGB §§ 535–580a
2. [2] Gesetze im Internet: Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO)
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH)