Tenants in Germany: Document Neighbor Harassment
As a tenant in Germany, you may experience unexpected conflicts with neighbors after moving in. This practical piece explains how to avoid common mistakes when dealing with neighborhood harassment and instead systematically collect evidence. You will learn which types of incidents count as harassment, how to document incidents promptly and which pieces of evidence are useful — photos, logs, witness statements. I show clear steps for written notices to landlords, deadlines and when to involve official bodies. The goal is to protect your rights while providing practical, understandable measures for tenants in Germany.
What counts as neighborhood harassment?
Neighborhood harassment includes repeated disturbances, threats, systematic harassment or deliberately creating a hostile living environment. If the behavior significantly impairs the quality of living, it can have civil law consequences. Relevant tenancy rules can be found in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) §§ 535–580a[1].
How to document correctly?
Good documentation is structured, dated and verifiable. Use multiple types of evidence and store everything securely. State time, place, participants and the nature of the disturbance. Avoid evaluative language in your notes — stay factual.
- Photos of incidents (photo) with date and a short description.
- Record date and time (time) of each disturbance.
- Witness statements (evidence) with contact details, ideally confirmed in writing.
- Save written communications (notice): emails, texts, letters.
- A continuous log (document) with a chronological list of all events.
Practical steps: letters, deadlines, contacts
First contact the landlord in writing and set a clear deadline for remedy. Use template texts for the initial written request and document the sending. If escalation is needed, you can involve authorities or courts — in most cases the local Amtsgericht is competent.[3]
Official sample forms and templates:
- Termination letter (sample) from the Federal Ministry of Justice — for extreme cases when a timely termination is necessary. Guidance is available on official ministry pages.
- Written request to the landlord (template) to remedy harassment: state date, concrete incidents and a reasonable deadline.
When are courts or authorities necessary?
If documented requests are ignored or harassment continues, legal action under the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) may be necessary — for example to obtain an injunction or damages. [2] Consider seeking legal advice early and check deadlines for filing claims.
FAQ
- What can I do immediately if an incident occurs?
- Immediately take photos, note date/time, ask witnesses and record the incident promptly in writing. Save all messages and inform the landlord in writing.
- Do I always have to call the police?
- Call the police if there is immediate danger or a criminal offense (threat, assault). For repeated harassment without imminent danger, documentation and civil measures are usually sufficient.
- What role does tenancy law play?
- Tenancy law protects the usability of the dwelling; the landlord must remedy disturbances. Relevant rules are in the BGB, §§ 535–580a.[1]
How-To
- Document the incident immediately: photo, date, time, place and a short description.
- Note witnesses and, if possible, obtain written confirmations.
- Inform the landlord in writing: incident, deadline for remedy, requested measures.
- Observe deadlines: respond within set timeframes and document every reaction.
- If necessary: gather information about the local Amtsgericht and prepare a potential claim.
Help and Support / Resources
- Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) §§ 535–580a — Law text
- Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) — Procedural rules
- Federal Court of Justice (BGH) — Case law
