Tenants: Basement Fire Safety in Germany
As a tenant in Germany you should take basement fire safety seriously: improperly stored boxes, blocked escape routes or faulty electrical devices increase risk for all residents, especially in shared flats. This guide explains landlord duties, concrete checkpoints you can inspect yourself and how to document defects in writing. You will find a practical checklist for shared households, instructions for reporting to the landlord and setting deadlines, plus concrete steps if no remedy is provided. For disputes the text explains when a local court (Amtsgericht) is responsible and which legal bases (e.g. BGB, ZPO) are relevant. Keep photos and messages — they are important later.
What to check
Regularly check common risks in the basement and communal areas. Typical checkpoints include:
- Keep escape routes clear and do not block doors.
- Store fuels and flammable materials safely.
- Inspect electrical devices and sockets for damage.
- Secure photos of hazard spots and date stamps as evidence.
Checklist for shared flats
- No placing of boxes or furniture in escape routes.
- Regularly check shared electrical appliances and lamps.
- Written agreement on storage of e-bike batteries and oils.
- Set a deadline: ask the landlord to remedy within 14 days.
Landlord duties
The landlord is responsible for the safety of communal areas and must remedy defects; the legal bases are found in §§ 535–580a BGB.[1]
Reporting defects and deadlines
How to report a defect correctly:
- Report the defect in writing to the landlord and propose a solution.
- Specify a deadline (e.g. 14 days) and demand a response.
- Keep photos, witness names and messages.
If no remedy is provided
If there is no response, you can consider further steps: rent reduction, self-remedy or court action. Civil procedure rules (ZPO) are relevant and the local court (Amtsgericht) is competent; BGH decisions may be used for legal questions.[2][3]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who decides rental disputes?
- The local court (Amtsgericht) is competent in the first instance for rental matters such as rent reduction, termination or eviction claims.[2]
- What duties does the landlord have regarding fire safety?
- The landlord must ensure safe access and fire-fighting support and remedy defects; see §§ 535–580a BGB.[1]
- How long should I set a deadline?
- In practice 14 days is common; in cases of imminent danger a shorter deadline can be demanded.
How-To
- Perform a visual inspection and note hazard locations.
- Create documentation: photos, dates, names of witnesses.
- Report defects in writing and set a deadline.
- If necessary consider legal steps and involve the local court (Amtsgericht).[2]
