Berlin Insider Info

[Berlininsider]

I am new to this page. I joined up, because I am originally from the US
and have been working in real estate in Berlin for almost 10 years.
I would like to offer this forum my experience and answer questions
You might have about buying, renting, renting out and short-term lets in Germany
and specifically Berlin. I would love to hear your thoughts and questions!

 

[Berlininsider]

Limited Lease

Just to get this started off, I will throw out this bit of German
law. In the US and UK it is common to limit the time of a long
Term lease, however in German law there are only really two legal
ways to limit the time of a long-term lease. Generally, ALL long-term
Leases are unlimited. 2 exceptions: 1. You or your family truly plan
to move into the flat once the tenant has left the flat. In this case
you or your family have to move in when you said you would. It is not
possible to put in an option such as "if we do not move in, you
can stay another 5 years". 2. Major renovation work is planned at the
end of the rental period, which will change the flat in such a way
that it is MUCH different from the original, eg. 4 room flat turned
into 1 room loft. Any deviations from these laws does not cancel
The signed lease, but rather automatically turns the lease into
an unlimited one. So, be careful!

 

[grazfam]

Hi. Thanks for this information. I have recently signed up for a couple of apartments off the plan in mitte Berlin. I was planning to rent them medium term. Ie 12 monthly leases maximum. Is this possible?

 

[Berlininsider]

12 mo. lease

Sorry! Just saw your question! Generally, this is legally very difficult under German rental laws. Leases are almost always unlimited and tenants have amazing amounts of rights. This is why the holiday flats market is blossoming in Berlin, because owners can only really in that way retain control of their property.

 

[homeowner]

Limiting the renting time of a place is not possible. Laws are very strict and often in the favour of the tenant.

 

[Berlininsider]

Limiting the time of rent is possible, but only under VERY strict conditions according to the German rental laws. These are very clearly presented in the German civil code (BGB)