Tenants: Cover Lost Keys Cheaply in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, a lost apartment key can quickly bring significant costs and insecurity. This article explains clearly and practically what rights and duties you have, how liability and household insurance can help in the event of a claim, and when landlords must bear the costs for changing locks. You will receive a step-by-step guide on which documents and reports are important, which deadlines to observe, and how to prepare a conversation with the landlord. I also explain examples of claim reports to insurers, name relevant legal provisions and authorities, and provide template wordings you can adapt. The information is general and helps you choose the right steps in concrete cases.

What to do if you lose a key

If you lose a key, act promptly: immediately inform people in the household and check whether misuse is possible. The landlord has duties to secure the rented property under tenancy law (BGB §§ 535–580a)^[1], while the tenant also has duties of care to prevent damage.

• Immediate: Check for spare keys and inform affected persons about access.
• Contact the landlord promptly in writing, state the loss and possible risks.
• Consider filing a police report if theft is suspected.

Check your insurance

Check whether your personal liability or household insurance covers costs for lost keys or lock replacement. Some liability policies reimburse costs if you caused damage to a third party (e.g., the landlord); household insurance usually pays only for burglary theft or the loss of certain types of keys. Request a formal claim form from your insurer and submit receipts.

Example process: report the damage with a claim form to the liability insurer, include a brief description of the loss, possibly a police report, and invoices for lock replacement or replacement keys. Keep original invoices.

Legal steps and deadlines

If cost responsibility between tenant and landlord is disputed, check lease clauses and statutory rules. For court action, the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) applies to lawsuits; the competent local court (Amtsgericht) decides many rental disputes, higher courts are the regional court and the Federal Court of Justice.^[2][3]

FAQ

Who pays for a lock change after a lost key?

Often the person who caused the loss pays, or the liability insurer if there is a claim; in case of dispute the local court decides.

Does household insurance cover replacement of keys?

Household insurance usually covers only proven burglary theft; simple key loss is often a matter for liability insurance.

Which deadlines must I observe?

Report the damage and loss to the landlord and insurer promptly; each policy has its own reporting deadlines and legal time limits follow the ZPO.

How-To

1. Step 1: Initiate immediate measures and arrange alternative access.
2. Step 2: Inform the landlord in writing and ask about deadlines.
3. Step 3: Notify your insurer and complete the claim form.
4. Step 4: Obtain quotes for lock replacement and collect invoices.
5. Step 5: In case of dispute, organize documentation and seek legal advice or contact the court.

Help and Support / Resources

• Gesetze im Internet: BGB (tenancy law and duties)
• Gesetze im Internet: ZPO (Code of Civil Procedure)
• Federal Court of Justice (BGH) rulings

1. [1] Gesetze im Internet – BGB
2. [2] Gesetze im Internet – ZPO
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof – BGH