Tenant Questions on Application Form 2025 Germany
When applying for an apartment, landlords often ask for personal details. As a tenant in Germany, you should know which questions are permitted, which information to document, and how to protect yourself from discrimination. This article explains in plain terms which details you must provide, when to have documents like pay slips or credit reports ready, how to decline sensitive questions, and when legal steps are appropriate. We also show which official forms and courts are responsible so you can enforce your rights in case of a dispute. The aim is to give clear practical guidance so apartment searches and application forms proceed fairly and legally. Read on for checklists, sample answer texts, and deadline tips.
What is permitted on the application form?
Landlords may request information relevant to the tenancy, for example to assess payment ability. Questions that violate the General Equal Treatment Act or are discriminatory are not permitted. If you want to check legal bases, see the provisions in the Civil Code (BGB)[1] and for procedural questions the Civil Procedure Code (ZPO)[2].
- Proof of income or salary statements to assess payment ability.
- Information about previous tenancies and contact details of former landlords as references.
- Credit report (e. g. Schufa) if the landlord requires it for credit checks.
- Information on the number of occupants and planned pets where relevant to the tenancy.
- Questions about religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or health data that are unrelated to the tenancy are generally not permitted.
- Questions that lead to direct disadvantage (e.g. solely because of origin or family status) are prohibited.
Documentation: which documents to have ready
Good documentation protects you later. Keep organized copies and note when you submitted which documents. Provide only necessary information and note on the form if you decline to answer sensitive questions.
- Pay slips for the last three months as proof of income.
- Certificate of no rent arrears from the previous landlord as a reference.
- Credit report or credit extract if requested.
- WBS application (Wohnberechtigungsschein) if eligible, see legal basis[3].
If a landlord asks unlawful questions or discriminates
Remain factual: refuse to answer unlawful questions with a brief explanation or a written note on the application form. If discrimination occurs or you are disadvantaged, collect evidence and consider legal options. Courts of first instance are the local courts (Amtsgerichte); highest-court rulings are at the Federal Court of Justice (BGH)[4].
Practical steps
- Photograph the completed application form and keep submitted documents as copies.
- Send formal letters by registered mail with return receipt in disputes and document the shipment date.
- Contact a local advice centre or the local court for concrete procedural questions.
FAQ
- Which questions may a landlord ask on the application form?
- Permitted are questions about payment ability, number of occupants and previous tenancies; discriminatory questions about religion or origin are not permitted.
- What if I do not want to answer an unlawful question?
- Note briefly on the form that you refuse to answer for data protection or anti-discrimination reasons and submit relevant proofs instead.
- Which forms are important?
- Typical documents are pay slips, certificate of no rent arrears, credit report, and possibly the Wohnberechtigungsschein (WBS) under the WoFG.
How-To
- Check each question for relevance to the tenancy and mark unlawful items.
- Collect key documents in copies: pay slips, rent clearance, ID copy.
- If necessary, request a written statement from the landlord and record deadlines.
- For ongoing discrimination, consider legal steps and contact the local court or an advice centre.
Help and Support / Resources
- Civil Code (BGB) §§ 535–580a — Gesetze im Internet
- Civil Procedure Code (ZPO) — Gesetze im Internet
- Wohnraumförderungsgesetz (WoFG) — Gesetze im Internet
