Tenants in Germany: Using Medical Attestations

Many tenants in Germany face decisions when milieu protection measures or modernization plans threaten their homes. A medical certificate can help justify special cases — for example in cases of health risks due to cost allocation, moving, or access to the apartment — but mistakes in the application, missed deadlines or unclear wording often lead to rejection. This text explains simply and practically which information a certificate should contain, which official forms to use, how to observe deadlines and which courts are responsible. The aim is to empower tenants: clear steps, examples and pointers to authorities help avoid typical mistakes and preserve protection against termination. Documentation such as photos and communication logs increases the chances of success. If in doubt, you will find guidance on forms and deadlines as well as the competent local courts in the footnotes.

What is milieu protection?

Milieu protection protects certain neighborhoods from social displacement through certain conversions, modernizations or changes of use. Authorities are usually municipal; the procedure can affect your tenancy agreement or planned terminations. For questions about legal foundations, the German Civil Code (BGB) serves as the basis of tenant rights^[1].

Common mistakes with certificates and how to avoid them

Many rejections occur due to formal defects. Pay attention to clear diagnoses, comprehensible limitations and precise time information in certificates and applications.

• Certificate without a specific diagnosis or without connection to the housing problem.
• Missing deadline information or too short deadline compliance (deadline not specified).
• Unclear addressing: recipient authority or landlord not named.
• Missing evidence such as photos, medical records or prior correspondence.
• Failure to use official forms or incorrect method of sending.

What a good certificate should contain

An informative certificate helps authorities and landlords understand the necessity. State diagnosis, functional limitations, concrete reasons why a move or access is a health risk, and a period or expected duration.

• Clear diagnosis and the issuing physician's professional title.
• Concrete description of which living conditions trigger the health risk.
• Period and deadline details (e.g. recovery time or limitation).
• Contact details for queries and the date of issue.

Practical steps and forms

Use official forms where available and send certificates by registered mail or with delivery confirmation. When it comes to protection against termination or eviction lawsuits, civil proceedings and deadlines under the Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO) are relevant^[2].

Contacts: Courts and authorities

For tenancy disputes, the local court (Amtsgericht) is initially responsible; higher courts are the regional court (Landgericht) and possibly the Federal Court of Justice as a revision instance^[3]. Also contact the local building or housing authority for questions about milieu protection.

FAQ

Do I always need a medical certificate for milieu protection cases?

Not always, but a qualified certificate strengthens your position in applications or objections when health reasons exist.

Which deadlines do I need to observe?

Observe deadlines in notices as well as formal response deadlines; for court actions, the deadlines of the Code of Civil Procedure apply, such as filing and objection periods^[2].

Which court should I contact for eviction or termination disputes?

File written claims against landlords at the competent local court; in appeals, the regional court and possibly the Federal Court of Justice follow^[3].

How-To

1. Check the notice and note all deadlines mentioned.
2. Contact your GP and discuss the situation and necessary wording in the certificate.
3. Supplement the certificate with photos, medical findings and prior correspondence.
4. Use official forms or write a dated informal letter to the authority/landlord and send it by registered mail.
5. Observe all deadlines and, if necessary, file an objection or lawsuit in time.
6. If necessary, submit the documents to the local court and seek legal or judicial assistance.

Help and Support

• [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – Gesetze im Internet
• [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – Gesetze im Internet
• [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) – Official site

1. [1] Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – Gesetze im Internet
2. [2] Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO) – Gesetze im Internet
3. [3] Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) – Official site