Tenant Complaints: Mail & Parcel Service in Germany

As a tenant in Germany you are entitled to functioning mail and parcel delivery in the stairwell or at agreed handover points. If shipments repeatedly go missing, arrive damaged or are delivered incorrectly, a structured approach helps: collect photos, witness statements and receipts, inform the landlord and the carrier in writing first, and set clear deadlines. Many disputes can be resolved this way without a lawyer. Knowledge of the relevant legal bases such as §§ 535–580a BGB^[1] and the possibilities at the local court^[3] is useful if no agreement is reached. This text explains in practical terms which phrasings and official steps tenants can use, which deadlines apply and when court assistance becomes necessary. At the end you will find a short guide and links to official forms.

What you can do

A calm, documented approach increases your chances of success. Start with simple, clear steps:

• Collect evidence (evidence): photos, delivery proofs, receipts and witness statements.
• Send a written defect notice to landlord and carrier (notice) with date, description and request.
• Set a deadline (deadline): Commonly 14 days; state a concrete consequence, such as legal steps.
• Contact the carrier (contact): Check tracking, report damages and note reference numbers.
• Review court options (court): If no agreement is possible, filing a suit at the local court may be appropriate.

Important forms and procedures: the complaint form or statement of claim for civil procedures under the ZPO is used when you need to initiate court proceedings; a practical example: you file a claim for payment or damages when landlord or carrier does not respond.^[2] For everyday complaints, a dated defect notice with clear deadlines and evidence is often sufficient. For precedent issues it is worth consulting BGH decisions.^[4]

FAQ

Can I reduce the rent if mail or parcel delivery is disrupted?

A rent reduction is possible if the use of the rented property is impaired and the landlord is responsible; first check for a breach of duty under §§ 535–580a BGB.^[1]

When is the local court (Amtsgericht) competent?

For most residential tenancy disputes the local court is competent; it decides on claims such as damages or eviction suits.^[3]

How do I phrase an effective defect notice?

Date, clear description of the defect, list evidence, set a 14-day deadline and announce that you will consider legal steps; example: “I hereby notify that packages have repeatedly been missing since 01.08. Attached photos and witness statements document this. Please remedy the defect or state measures within 14 days.”

How-To

1. Document: collect photos, timestamps, witness names and tracking numbers.
2. Notify in writing: send a dated defect notice to landlord and carrier and get confirmation of receipt.
3. Set a deadline: name a specific deadline, e.g. 14 days, and announce next steps.
4. Contact provider: file a damage report with the carrier and note reference numbers.
5. Consider legal steps: if there is no response, evaluate filing a claim at the local court.

Help and Support / Resources

• Amtsgericht (local court) – competent authority for tenancy disputes: Justiz portal
• Central legislation database (BGB, ZPO): Gesetze im Internet
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – decisions and information: bundesgerichtshof.de

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) §§ 535–580a — gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) — gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Justizportal — Find local courts (Amtsgericht)
4. [4] Federal Court of Justice (BGH) — bundesgerichtshof.de