Tenant Guide: Liability & Household Insurance Germany

As a tenant in Germany, you often face questions about liability, household insurance and how to handle claims. This guide explains in plain language when personal liability or household insurance covers losses, which forms and deadlines matter, and how to collect evidence. It is aimed at tenants without legal training and gives practical steps for communication with the landlord, reporting damage and, if necessary, court actions. Official forms and responsible authorities are also named so you know where to get help. At the end you will find an FAQ with common situations and a step-by-step guide for filing claims.

What do liability and household insurance cover?

Liability insurance usually compensates damages you cause to third parties; household insurance compensates damage to movable items in your flat. Legal foundations for landlord and tenant obligations are set out in the German Civil Code (BGB) and regulate, for example, defect remediation and rent reduction.^[1]

• Secure receipts and photos (evidence)
• Send notification to insurer and landlord (notice)
• Observe deadlines: report damage within 7 days (deadline)
• Keep invoices and payment proofs (payment)

Forms, deadlines and a practical example

Use a clear claim form or a written damage notification. A template for a termination letter or formal letters can be found on official pages of the Federal Ministry of Justice.^[6] Example: For water damage, photograph the damage immediately, save invoices and send a written notification to the insurer and landlord within one week. Special rules apply for operating costs or heating costs as set out in the Operating Costs Regulation and Heating Costs Ordinance.^[3][4]

Rights, duties and competent courts

As a tenant you are entitled to a habitable apartment; the landlord is obliged to remedy defects and may not terminate without legal grounds. In rental disputes, the local court (Amtsgericht) is usually competent in the first instance; procedural rules of the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) apply.^[5][2]

• Use a termination letter template if you need to end the tenancy (notice)
• Set a written deadline for defect remediation when ordering repairs (repair)
• If necessary, file a claim at the local court (court)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does liability insurance pay for in case of damage?

Liability insurance covers justified claims for damages by third parties; for apartment damage, check your policy coverage and report the claim in writing to the insurer.

Can I reduce the rent if the apartment has defects?

Yes, you can reduce the rent for significant defects; the requirements are regulated in the BGB (§§ 535–580a). Document defects and inform the landlord in writing.

Where do I turn if the landlord does not respond?

If the landlord does not respond, you can file a claim at the local court or seek legal advice; court proceedings are governed by the ZPO.

How-To

1. Collect evidence: create photos, dates and witness notes (evidence)
2. Notify in writing: send claim form to insurer and landlord (notice)
3. Secure costs: gather invoices and payment proofs (payment)
4. If necessary, sue: file a claim at the competent local court (court)

Help and Support / Resources

• Gesetze im Internet: BGB (legal text) (help)
• Courts in Germany (court portal) (help)
• Federal Ministry of Justice (BMJ) (help)

1. [1] BGB §535 ff. – gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Betriebskostenverordnung (BetrKV) – gesetze-im-internet.de
4. [4] Heizkostenverordnung (HeizKV) – gesetze-im-internet.de
5. [5] Gerichte im Internet – gerichte-im-internet.de
6. [6] Federal Ministry of Justice – bmj.de