Tenants: Find Comparable Apartments in Germany

As a tenant in Germany, it is important to find comparable apartments when you want to check a rent adjustment, document a defect, or respond to a termination. This practical guide shows simple steps: where to find suitable comparison listings, which documents to gather and how to respect deadlines and forms. I explain relevant sections of the BGB in plain language, which courts are competent and which official forms can be useful.^[1] The tips are practice-oriented and help you structure evidence, prepare a template letter correctly and meet deadlines so your rights as a tenant in Germany remain protected. At the end you will find a short FAQ, a step-by-step guide and official links to laws and courts. Use the examples to prepare your own letters.

How to find comparable apartments

Start with clear criteria: location, size, fittings, operating costs and year of construction. Search several suitable listings, note price, square meters and energy data. Collect these data systematically in a table so you can compare later.

• Check online listings (tip: date, rent, area) and save screenshots.
• Collect documents: listing text, photos, location plan and living area details (evidence for comparison).
• Note deadlines: when the listing was online or when tenants changed (deadline matters).

Which documents and forms are important

For a solid comparison analysis and any legal steps you need concrete evidence: tenancy agreement, handover record, photos of defects, bank statements for rent payments and collected listings. Official forms are usually provided by courts or state portals; examples are explained below and linked in the footnotes.

• Copy the tenancy agreement and mark relevant clauses (notice: termination periods, graduated rent clauses).
• Organize evidence (evidence: photos, dates, witnesses).
• Check forms (notice: application for legal aid or WBS application) and fill them out.

If a landlord adjusts rent or terminates

Check every rent adjustment against your collected comparables. The legal basis is in the German Civil Code (BGB) for duties and rights in tenancy relationships.^[1] For a formal termination check whether form requirements were met and whether reasons exist that could render the termination invalid.

Courts and procedures

For disputes about rent, termination or eviction, the local court (Amtsgericht) is competent; procedural rules are in the ZPO.^[2] For appeals the regional courts and ultimately the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) are relevant.^[3]

• Contact the local court (court) if a lawsuit or eviction dispute arises.
• Seek advice: tenant associations and state legal advice centers can help.

Practical example: Rent reduction using comparables

If you have mold and want to reduce rent, record the discovery date, report defects in writing to the landlord and collect comparable listings. Justify the reduction amount by the difference between your rent and the market rent of comparable apartments.

FAQ

How do I find suitable comparable apartments?

Search several listings with similar size, location and fittings, save screenshots with dates and note rent and operating costs.

Which forms do I need for a legal dispute?

Important are template termination letters, possibly the application for legal aid (PKH) and documents for a WBS; official forms are often available on state justice portals.^[2]

Where do I turn in case of tenancy disputes?

The competent authority for lawsuits is the local court; in complex cases consult higher courts or BGH decisions.^[3]

How-To

1. Collect documents (evidence): tenancy agreement, handover protocol, photos and listings.
2. Compare (tip): create a list with price, size and fittings of comparable apartments.
3. Check deadlines (deadline): note termination and response deadlines.
4. Assess legal steps (court): contact the local court if necessary or obtain legal advice.
5. Prepare letters (approved): draft a clear template letter with requests or objections.

Key Takeaways

• Systematic documentation strengthens your case in tenancy disputes.
• Several comparables are necessary to demonstrate market rents.

Help and Support / Resources

• Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) — gesetze-im-internet.de
• Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) — gesetze-im-internet.de
• Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) — bundesgerichtshof.de

1. [1] Gesetze im Internet — Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
2. [2] Gesetze im Internet — Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO)
3. [3] Justizportal — Informationen zu Gerichten (Amtsgericht, Landgericht)
4. [4] Bundesgerichtshof — Entscheidungen und Hinweise (BGH)