Serviced Apartments Long-Term: Tenants in Germany

Many tenants in Germany choose a serviced apartment when they stay longer for work or seek flexible housing. Long-term contracts differ from standard tenancies through services like cleaning or flat-rate utilities. This article explains tenants' rights and obligations, how fair cost distribution works, and when rent reduction or termination is possible. I describe concrete examples, list important deadlines and show how to use official forms to assert claims. I explain how to report defects, which deadlines apply and how the local court decides in rental disputes. At the end you will find a step-by-step guide and official sources from laws and courts.

Rights and Obligations

As a tenant under the German Civil Code, you have obligations to pay rent and the landlord has duties to maintain the dwelling.^[1] For serviced apartments, contractual additional services (cleaning, laundry, internet) can be part of the rent; therefore always check the rental agreement for exact service and cost descriptions.

Cost allocation: what is typically agreed

• Clarify whether monthly rent includes or excludes utilities.
• Specify costs for cleaning or service provisions in the contract.
• Record flat rates and billing intervals in writing.

Cost allocation & examples

Example A: Landlord charges a service fee of €150 monthly; check whether services are regularly provided and can be evidenced. Example B: Utilities are billed separately, but heating is flat-rate – request transparent statements and receipts.

Defects, rent reduction and forms

Report defects in writing and set a reasonable deadline for remedy. For legal steps, the rules of the Code of Civil Procedure are relevant and often necessary if the landlord does not respond.^[2]

Important forms and procedures (where to find):

• Letter for defect notification (written, with deadline) – example: precise defect description, requested deadline, request for confirmation.
• Application for payment reminder or commencement of debt collection for outstanding refunds or utility claims.

Termination and court action

For contract termination, the agreed notice periods apply; if not specified, statutory notice periods apply. For eviction suits and court disputes, the local court (Amtsgericht) is usually responsible; appeals go to the regional court, and the Federal Court of Justice issues higher precedents.^[3][4]

FAQ

Can I reduce the rent if the service is not provided?

Yes, if an essential contractual service is missing, a rent reduction can be justified; document the quality and duration of the defect and announce the reduction in writing.

Who is responsible for rental disputes?

The local district court is generally responsible in the first instance; for legal bases see the Code of Civil Procedure and the competent courts.^[2]

Which deadlines must I observe?

Notice periods are in the rental agreement or the BGB; for lawsuits the deadlines of the Code of Civil Procedure apply. Check deadlines immediately upon receiving any letter.

How-To

1. Document defects with date-stamped photos and a precise description.
2. Send a formal defect notification to the landlord with a deadline and proof of delivery.
3. Set a reasonable deadline (e.g., 14 days) and then review next steps.
4. Calculate a rent reduction if applicable based on duration and severity of impairment.
5. If there is no response, file a claim at the local court or use the debt-collection procedure.

Help and Support / Resources

• Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch §§535–580a (Gesetze im Internet)
• Information on courts and procedures (justiz.de)
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH)

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch §§535–580a (Gesetze im Internet)
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – Gesetze im Internet
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH)
4. [4] Justizportal: Information on courts (justiz.de)