Tenants: Proving Interest Credits in Germany
Many tenants in Germany face the task of proving interest credits on the security deposit account — especially during ongoing court disputes in large cities. Success depends on careful documentation: bank statements, written confirmations from the property manager, and detailed payment logs. In proceedings before the local court clear evidence is often decisive because deadlines and formal requirements apply. This article shows step by step which documents tenants should collect, how to calculate interest correctly and which official authorities and laws are relevant. The guidance is practical, explained in plain language and tailored to the challenges in German urban areas so that you can reliably substantiate your claims. At the end you will find an FAQ, a short guide for submitting evidence to the court and links to official forms and rulings.
What tenants should watch now
If you want to prove interest credits on the security deposit, everything starts with the right documents. Collect all relevant statements early and request written confirmations so that clear proof is available in case of dispute.
- Collect bank statements (evidence): full monthly and annual statements of the deposit account.
- Obtain written confirmation (form): inquire with the property manager or landlord which interest amounts were credited.
- Prepare interest calculation (money): overview of rate, period and computed amounts.
- Secure payment receipts (evidence): document all transfers and refunds.
Mention the deposit account in pleadings and attach bank statements as exhibits. If there are conflicting statements, a clear chronological presentation is helpful: dates of deposits, start of interest period and dates of credits.
Formal notes and deadlines
In civil disputes the rules of the BGB and the ZPO apply. Mention the relevant paragraphs in your filings and submit evidence in time so the local court can examine your claims[1][2].
Which laws matter?
- Civil Code (BGB) - tenancy law (e.g. duties to return the deposit and interest).
- Civil Procedure Code (ZPO) - rules on evidence and deadlines in court.
- Case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) - important rulings on deposits and interest calculation[3].
In many large cities local courts review evidence strictly because caseloads are high. Therefore completeness matters more than quantity: prefer a few clearly explained documents over many unorganized proofs.
Practical proof: example procedure
An easy, traceable proof could look like this: 1) collect bank statements for the relevant period. 2) create a table with deposits, interest periods and calculated interest. 3) request a written confirmation from the property manager. 4) file the documents with the court as attachments and refer in your letter to the exact pages.
FAQ
- How quickly must I submit evidence?
- Submit evidence as soon as possible; observe court deadlines and requests from the local court.
- Which documents are sufficient?
- Bank statements, bank confirmations, written statements from the property manager and a comprehensible interest calculation are generally sufficient.
- What if the landlord does not provide confirmation?
- Document the request in writing and present the bank statements and your interest calculation; the court will decide based on the submitted documents.
How-To
- Collect all bank statements (evidence) for the relevant period.
- Prepare a clear interest calculation and explain assumptions (form).
- Request written confirmations from the property manager and document the inquiry (contact).
- File the documents with the local court as exhibits to the claim or response (file).
- Prepare a short chronology for the hearing and refer to specific exhibit pages (court).
Key Takeaways
- Careful documentation often decides success or failure.
- Concrete bank statements and a clear interest calculation are especially helpful.
- Observe deadlines and formal requirements before the local court.
Help and Support / Resources
- Gesetze im Internet: Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
- Gesetze im Internet: Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO)
- Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) - Decisions
