Report Neighborhood Bullying: Tenant Help in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, it is important to recognize neighborhood bullying early and act decisively. This guide explains in clear language which steps you can take immediately, how to document incidents, which deadlines apply and when to inform your landlord or the authorities. We also discuss which legal foundations (e.g., the landlord's duties under the BGB) are relevant, the role of the local court if escalation occurs, and how to prepare your evidence for possible proceedings. The goal is to give you practical, timely action steps so you can effectively protect your rights as a tenant.

What to do about neighborhood bullying?

Start with clear, simple steps: stay calm, document incidents and inform the landlord. Describe the behavior factually and state times, places and possible witnesses. Inform yourself about the landlord's duties under the BGB when the use of the apartment or peace is disturbed.

• Record date, time and description of each incident.
• Take photos, videos and save messages as evidence.
• Inform the landlord in writing and request remediation.
• Note witnesses and their contact details for later statements.

Deadlines and formal reporting

Give the landlord a reasonable deadline to remedy the situation and announce that you will consider further steps if there is no response. In many cases, a written defect notice is sufficient; if landlords do not respond, concrete legal measures may follow. Name specific disturbances in the notice and attach evidence. In cases of immediate danger, you should contact the police without delay.

• Give the landlord a deadline of e.g. 14 days to remedy the problem.
• Send the notice by registered mail or by email with read receipt.
• In case of threat: inform the police and document the danger.

Legal foundations

Important foundations are the tenancy-related duties and rights in the German Civil Code (BGB), in particular the landlord's duty to ensure the contractual use of the rented property. In court proceedings, the Civil Procedure Code (ZPO) applies. In many tenancy disputes, the local court (Amtsgericht) is competent; only in higher instances do regional courts or the Federal Court of Justice handle cases.

Examples of possible legal consequences: warnings, compensation, extraordinary or ordinary termination by affected parties or landlords, as well as injunctions. Check early whether a rent reduction is possible due to restricted use of the dwelling.

FAQ

What counts as neighborhood bullying?

Neighborhood bullying includes repeated, harassing acts such as noise nuisance, threats, property damage or systematic intimidation that impair the right to live in ones home.

How do I report on time?

Send a written defect notice to the landlord with date, description and a reasonable deadline for remediation (e.g. 14 days). Attach evidence and document the dispatch.^[1]

When should I involve the local court?

If the landlord does not respond or escalation occurs (e.g. threats), a lawsuit can be filed at the competent local court. First consider seeking advice and collect all evidence.^[2]

How-To

1. Collect evidence: note date, time, witnesses and save photos, videos and messages.
2. Inform the landlord in writing: draft a defect notice with a deadline.
3. In case of threat: call the police and file a report.
4. If there is no response: seek legal advice and prepare a lawsuit at the local court.

Help and Support / Resources

• Gesetze im Internet  BGB (tenancy provisions)
• Gesetze im Internet  ZPO (procedural rules)
• Justice Portal  Information on local courts

1. [1] German Civil Code (BGB)  Gesetze im Internet
2. [2] Civil Procedure Code (ZPO)  Gesetze im Internet
3. [3] Justice Portal  Information on local courts