Visitor Rights in Dorms: Checklist for Tenants in Germany
As a tenant in Germany you may be unsure about what rights guests have in a dorm and how to avoid conflicts. This checklist explains step by step how to document visitor rights, observe house rules and personal data, and which pieces of evidence help in disputes with management. You will learn when written consent is required, how to store photos, visitor logs and emails securely, and which deadlines apply for objections. The goal is that you can substantiate your rights objectively without provoking escalation. At the end you will find practical phrasing suggestions for letters to the property manager and guidance on which courts are responsible if needed. The checklist lists official forms and explains how to proceed at the local court if an eviction lawsuit is threatened.
What counts as visitor rights?
Visitor rights mean that persons may be temporarily hosted by you without this automatically creating a permanent tenancy. In principle, tenancy law in the BGB regulates landlord and tenant obligations; for disputes the specific duration, frequency and interference with other tenants are decisive.[1]
Checklist: Documenting visitor rights
- Keep a visitor log with date, arrival and departure times and the names of visitors.
- Note deadlines or notes from the house rules, e.g. nighttime quiet hours or visitor limits.
- Take photos of problems (e.g. damage) and store them with dates.
- Save emails, SMS or chat histories with the property management as evidence.
- Request written decisions from management (email or letter) and keep copies.
- Record witnesses who can confirm repeated visits.
- Have a copy of your rental agreement ready to prove contractual visitor provisions.
Practical tip: wording
When informing management in writing, briefly state date, time, visitor's name and the reason for the visit. Ask for confirmation by email or letter. Example: "I hereby inform you that Ms. X will be visiting from DD.MM.YYYY to DD.MM.YYYY. Please confirm briefly whether you have any objections."
If management objects
If management maintains a ban or demands impermissible restrictions, document the statement and reply in writing with your account of the facts. Request a justification and set a reasonable deadline for the response. For formal steps, deadlines and civil procedure may be relevant; further action is governed by the ZPO and the competent local courts.[2][3]
Sample letter: short and factual
- Brief description of the incident: date, time, persons.
- Request confirmation or clarification within a deadline (e.g. 14 days).
- Note attached evidence: photos, logs, emails.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can my landlord ban visitors in general?
- A general, blanket ban is rarely justified; specific restrictions may be possible if they significantly affect other tenants or are contractually agreed.
- How long can a visitor stay?
- There is no fixed statutory maximum; duration, frequency and whether a subtenancy arises are decisive — check your rental agreement.
- What helps if management threatens eviction?
- Secure documentation, lodge a formal objection, seek legal advice and, if necessary, request access to files at the competent local court.
How-To
- Collect all evidence promptly (photos, logs, messages).
- Write a short letter to management and request a reply within a deadline.
- Send the letter by registered mail or email with read receipt.
- Document phone calls in writing (date, contact person, content).
- If necessary, inform the competent local court and prepare documents for proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Keep dates, times and evidence orderly and chronological.
- Observe deadlines and respond promptly to management letters.
- Seek assistance from official channels early if uncertain.
Help and Support / Resources
- Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) – §§ 535–580a
- Zivilprozessordnung (ZPO)
- Bundesgerichtshof (BGH) – Decisions on tenancy law
- Justice portal of the federal and state governments
