Tenant Rights for Neighbor Harassment in Germany

What is neighbor harassment?

Neighbor harassment describes repeated, harassing actions or behaviors by neighbors that impair the living environment and can reduce the usability of the rented apartment. As a tenant you have duties and rights under the German Civil Code; for questions about tenant obligations and rent reduction the legal framework provides guidance.^[1]

First steps: what to do immediately

If you feel harassed, quick, systematic steps are important to meet deadlines and present evidence later.

• Collect documents and photos of incidents and note timestamps.
• Name witnesses and secure contact details.
• Send a written complaint to the property manager and request confirmation of receipt.
• Note all relevant deadlines (date, time, repetitions).

If the property manager does not respond

If the property manager does not respond or the disturbing neighbor does not improve, you can forward the matter to the competent local court or consider a legal injunction. Competent courts and procedural rules are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure.^[2]

Evidence and formalities

It is important that evidence is traceable and dated: photos with timestamps, written notes with times, emails, SMS and witness statements. Also record when you sent complaints to the property manager and what response occurred.

Contacts and responsibilities

For tenancy disputes, the local court is usually competent in the first instance; higher instances include the regional court and ultimately the Federal Court of Justice for fundamental legal questions.^[3]

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reduce rent if neighbor harassment reduces living quality?

Yes, a rent reduction is possible if the usability of the apartment is significantly restricted; exact percentages depend on the case and should be documented.

Do I have to inform the property manager first?

Yes, inform the property manager in writing and in due time so that an administrative course is documented and you can later refer to formal submissions.

Which deadlines apply if I want to sue?

Deadlines depend on the facts and on procedural provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure; legal advice helps calculate deadlines correctly.

How-To

1. Document the incident: note date, time, photos and witnesses.
2. Send a written complaint to the property manager and request confirmation of receipt.
3. If necessary, write a formal demand (injunction) and set a deadline.
4. If there is no improvement: inform the local court or initiate legal steps.

Key Takeaways

• Thorough documentation is the basis of any complaint.
• Written notifications to the property manager are required before formal steps.
• If escalated, local courts and the Code of Civil Procedure are relevant.

Help and Support / Resources

• Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – Gesetze im Internet
• Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – Gesetze im Internet
• Bundesgerichtshof – Informationen und Entscheidungen

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – gesetze-im-internet.de
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – gesetze-im-internet.de
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof – bundesgerichtshof.de