Legionella Testing 2025: Tenant Guide Germany
As a tenant in Germany, you may wonder which rights and duties apply to legionella testing in 2025. This guide explains in clear language when tests are necessary, who pays the costs and which steps you as tenants should take if an investigation is pending. I describe practical procedures, deadlines, relevant tenancy law rules and the most important forms as well as examples from everyday life, such as contacting the public health authority or communicating with the landlord. At the end you will find an FAQ and a step-by-step guide on how to act in case of conspicuous measurement results. Practical wording suggestions for letters to the landlord are included.
What is legionella testing?
Legionella testing examines drinking water for the bacterium Legionella, which can cause health risks at high concentrations. Obligations for testing arise from the Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV), which regulates the duties of operators[1]. For tenants it is important to know that responsibility for testing and measures generally lies with the landlord, while residents also have information and cooperation duties.
Rights and duties of tenants
As a tenant you are entitled to safe, hygienically sound housing. Concretely this means:
- Rent reduction (rent reduction) possible if there are health hazards and use is significantly impaired.
- Send a written request (notice) to the landlord to document and demand testing and remediation measures.
- Contact the responsible public health authority (call) to inform them or request an investigation.
- Secure evidence with photos, measurements or witness statements (evidence) if necessary.
Practical steps for tenants
If you suspect elevated legionella values or receive notice of a test, proceed as follows:
- Check deadlines (deadline): note the date of the announcement and response deadlines to landlord or health authority.
- Contact the landlord (call) in writing and request the test reports and action plans.
- Document (evidence) your observations: water color, smell, date, time and any symptoms.
- If there is no response, inform the health authority in writing and attach your documentation (form).
Forms and official steps
There is no standardized federal "rent reduction form", but for court actions you use the general civil complaint form of the civil courts. For complaints to authorities use the respective reporting or notification forms of your municipal health authority. For legal bases see the BGB and the Drinking Water Ordinance[2][1].
What happens in court?
If disputes cannot be resolved amicably, tenancy disputes are usually decided at the local court (Amtsgericht) as the first instance; higher instances such as the regional court or the Federal Court of Justice deal only with special appeals and legal matters[3]. In such proceedings, evidence, test reports and written requests are used as proof.
FAQ
- Who pays for legionella testing?
- In general, the landlord bears the costs for tests and required measures.
- Can I reduce the rent if legionella are discovered?
- Yes, a rent reduction is possible if the use of the apartment is significantly restricted or health is impaired; document the defect and inform the landlord in writing.
- Where do I turn if the landlord does not respond?
- Contact the local public health authority; as the next step you can seek legal advice or file a complaint at the local court.
How-To
- Inform the landlord in writing about your suspicion and request test reports.
- Gather evidence: photos, notes with date and time.
- Contact the health authority and request an official investigation.
- Consider rent reduction or legal action with advice if the landlord is inactive.
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- [2] Civil Code (BGB) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- [3] Information on courts — justiz.de
