Tenant Rights: Accessible Bathroom Planning Germany

As a tenant in Germany, you are entitled to adequate living conditions — accessible bathrooms can be part of that when they are necessary for daily life and health. This article explains how to plan an accessible bathroom, which structural changes are possible, which forms may be required at the building authority or property management, and how to enforce your tenant rights. I outline practical steps: reviewing the lease, submitting written requests to the landlord, deadlines, documenting need and cost estimates, and the route to the local court and WBS applications. I also explain cost sharing, funding options and examples of a formal "application for structural alterations" as well as notes on rent reduction and deadlines.

Rights and legal basis

German tenancy law in the German Civil Code (BGB) regulates the duties of landlords and tenants, particularly regarding maintenance and permitted alterations to the rented property.^[1] Procedural rules for court action are set out in the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO).^[2] For fundamental legal questions or precedents, decisions of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) may be relevant.^[3]

Practical steps for tenants

• Review the lease and clarify rules on structural changes.
• Document the need with a medical certificate, photos, and cost estimates.
• Submit a written request to the landlord and specify reasonable deadlines.
• Check funding options, cost-sharing arrangements or grants before starting work.
• If the landlord refuses, consider the route via the local court.

Applications and forms

Important documents include a sample letter to the landlord ("application for structural alteration"), medical certificates, contractors' cost estimates and, if applicable, applications to funding agencies. A template letter or formal termination template can be consulted at the Federal Ministry of Justice.^[4] Obtaining the landlord's written consent early is often helpful.

How-To

1. Assess need: obtain a medical certificate and collect photos for documentation.
2. Obtain cost estimates and prepare a formal letter to the landlord.
3. Submit the request in writing and set a response deadline.
4. Check for grants, subsidies or social funding and apply if available.
5. If refused, seek legal advice and consider the local court route.

Key takeaways

• Early, written communication with the landlord avoids many conflicts.
• Good documentation (certificates, photos, estimates) strengthens your position.
• If refused, the local court may be the proper place to resolve the dispute.

Help and Support / Resources

• BGB §535ff – Rights and duties in tenancy law
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH) – decisions in tenancy law
• Federal Ministry of Justice – laws and templates

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1. [1] BGB §§535–580a — gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] ZPO — gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Federal Court of Justice — bundesgerichtshof.de
4. [4] Federal Ministry of Justice — bmj.de