Tenants: Insure Against Natural Damage in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, you are often the first contact when heavy rain, flooding or storms affect the apartment. In this text I explain clearly which insurances and measures help to report and settle natural damage correctly. You will learn about typical mistakes — e.g. delayed reporting, missing photos or unclear responsibilities — and how to avoid them concretely. I list practical steps for documenting damage, communicating with landlord and insurer, and relevant form notes and deadlines. For court-related questions I point to competent courts and legal bases. The goal is that you as a tenant quickly obtain reliable protection and assert your claim efficiently.

What to do in case of natural damage?

Immediately after damage you should act quickly, safely and with documentation. Report the damage to the landlord and your household insurance, document everything and prevent further damage as far as reasonable.

• Report damages without delay and observe deadlines.
• Collect evidence: photos, videos, inventory lists and witness statements.
• Only carry out short-term repair measures in consultation or after contacting the insurer to avoid later disputes.
• Use written notifications and request confirmations of receipt (email or registered mail).

Insurance, responsibilities and deadlines

For tenants, household insurance is primarily relevant; damages to the building are usually reported by the landlord to their building insurance. The legal framework for tenant obligations and landlord duties can be found in the BGB^[1]. Procedural questions for civil suits are governed by the ZPO^[2], and local district courts are usually competent for tenancy disputes^[3].

Practical checklist for tenants

• Send written damage notification to landlord and insurer and note the date.
• Create photos and an inventory list and store them safely.
• Record contact details of landlord, insurer and (if any) property management.
• Estimate the damage amount roughly and keep cost estimates.

If there is disagreement about responsibilities or the amount of settlement, check your insurance contracts and present all documents in order; note phone calls including date and the person you spoke with.

Communication with landlord and insurer

Phrase notifications clearly: date, location, short damage description, list of damaged items and initial photos. Request confirmation of receipt and ask about the next steps (expert, deadlines, deductible).

• Send a formal damage notification by email or registered mail.
• Attach proof files and keep copies.
• In case of disputes, prepare a short file summary for the competent district court.

FAQ

Who pays for natural damage: landlord or tenant?

In principle, the landlord is responsible for damage to the building; personal belongings are the responsibility of the tenant's household insurance.

Can I reduce the rent if the apartment is uninhabitable?

Yes, rent reduction is possible if usability is significantly impaired; document the extent and duration of the impairment.

Which courts are competent for tenancy disputes?

The local district court is usually competent at first instance; higher instances are the regional court and possibly the Federal Court of Justice.

How-To

1. Send the damage notification in writing to landlord and insurer and request confirmation of receipt.
2. Collect evidence: photos, video, inventory list and witness statements.
3. Arrange necessary immediate measures to limit damage and document costs.
4. Contact legal advice or the local district court in case of uncertainty to clarify deadlines and procedures.
5. Submit invoices and cost estimates to the insurer and actively follow up on the settlement.

Key Takeaways

• Immediate documentation is often decisive for settlement.
• Check your household policy for natural hazard coverage.
• Written files and timely action support your claim.

Help and Support / Resources

• Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – Gesetze im Internet
• Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – Gesetze im Internet
• Court search and district courts – Justizportal

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) — Gesetze im Internet
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) — Gesetze im Internet
3. [3] Court search and district courts — Justizportal