Tenants: Getting a Stairlift Approved in Germany
As a tenant in Germany, you may encounter barriers more quickly in a shared flat: staircases, narrow corridors and differing needs. This text explains in plain language which rights tenants have, when the landlord's or owners' association's consent is required and which deadlines and formalities apply in 2025. You will receive practical steps for the application process, notes on cost responsibility, installation and when a court can be involved. I describe official forms, name the responsible courts and show how legal aid (prosesskostenhilfe) works. The goal is: you should be able to decide confidently which documents are needed, how to meet deadlines and which authorities in Germany can help in a dispute.
Who decides on alterations?
For structural changes to communal property or the staircase, tenants usually need the landlord's or the homeowners' association's consent. Tenancy law in the BGB regulates landlord and tenant duties and when structural changes are permissible[1]. If consent is refused, the matter can be decided by the local court (Amtsgericht) in case of dispute.[3]
When is approval required?
Approval is usually required when installations are permanent in shared areas or when the building fabric is altered. Small, non-visible adaptations inside the private living area are often permitted without approval; major measures such as anchoring to staircase walls or fixed rails are not. Check your lease for clauses on structural changes and document every response in writing.
What costs and deadlines apply?
- Who pays: clarify in advance whether the landlord, social services or the care insurance fund can cover costs.
- Forms: apply for grants and subsidies with official forms.
- Deadlines: respond to landlord replies within stated deadlines, otherwise statutory acceptance periods apply.
Practical steps before installation
- Inform: submit an informal written request to the landlord including sketches and cost estimates.
- Document: take photos of the current condition and collect offers.
- Specialist company: choose certified manufacturers and obtain a written installation warranty.
What to do in case of conflicts?
If the landlord refuses consent or there is a dispute over cost responsibility, options include: seeking mediation, checking a conciliation board or filing a claim at the local court. Court proceedings follow the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) and usually start at the Amtsgericht, with appeals at the Landgericht; precedents come from the Federal Court of Justice (BGH)[2][5].
FAQ
- Do I need the landlord's permission for a stairlift?
- Yes, for fixed installations in the staircase or communal property, the landlord's or owners' association's consent is generally required; document every decision in writing.
- Who can help with financing?
- Potential payers include landlords, care insurance funds, social welfare offices or subsidy programmes; check applications and the possibility of grants with official forms.
How-To
- Step 1: Submit an application to the landlord with an offer and sketch.
- Step 2: Clarify costs with written estimates and, if necessary, subsidy applications.
- Step 3: Contract a specialist company and set installation dates.
- Step 4: If refused, pursue timely clarification through mediation or the local court.
