mietminderung

Rent Reduction — Your Legal Right

Create a legally sound letter to your landlord.

  • Free
  • Online
  • Ready in 10 minutes
  • No lawyer needed
  • Based on §536 BGB
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How it works

1

Describe the problem

Select your issue and answer a few questions

2

Generate the letter

We create a legally sound letter based on current case law

3

Send it off

You receive the PDF by email and send it to your landlord

Why our service?

LawyerOur serviceTenants' association
CostFrom €200Free or €9.99€60–90 / year
TimeWeeks10 minutesWaiting period after joining
ProcessIn-person meetingOnlineMembership required
No appointment neededNoYesNo
AvailabilityBusiness hours24/7Business hours
Legally sound letter✓✓✓

Common problems

Heating / Hot Water
Heating or hot water broken? You are entitled to a rent reduction.
Water Damage / Moisture
Water damage in your apartment? Your landlord must take action.
Mold
Mold in your apartment? Demand defect remediation and rent reduction.
Noise
Noise disturbance from construction, neighbors, or commercial activity?
Power / Gas Outage
Power or gas outage in your apartment? The landlord is responsible.
Pests / Vermin
Pest infestation in your apartment? The landlord must arrange for removal.
Elevator
Elevator permanently broken? You are entitled to a rent reduction.
Other
Another defect in your apartment? Describe the problem.

What our users say

Real experiences from tenants who enforced their rights.

Artur K.

“One of two elevators was broken for months. Sent a letter to Howoge – received €165 in rent reduction. Not a lot, but it worked.”

Elevator
Dmitri W.

“The therme kept failing in winter – sometimes heating, sometimes hot water. Sent a rent reduction letter and got €1,500 back for two months.”

Heating / Hot Water
Maria S.

“Water damage from a leaky roof. The letter was professionally written and got the landlord to act immediately.”

Water Damage / Moisture
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Common Questions

What is a rent reduction?
A rent reduction (Mietminderung) is the legal right to reduce your rent when your apartment has defects. It is based on §536 BGB (German Civil Code): if a significant defect impairs the usability of the apartment, the rent is reduced by law.
Can my landlord terminate my lease if I reduce my rent?
No. Rent reduction is your legal right under §536 BGB. A termination due to a justified rent reduction is invalid. Important: Document the defect carefully and give your landlord a reasonable deadline to fix it.
Do I have to inform the landlord first?
Yes. Under §536c BGB, you are required to notify the landlord of the defect immediately (Maengelanzeige). Without notification, your right to reduce rent may be limited, and you could even be liable for damages. The notification should be in writing, describe the defect precisely, and set a reasonable deadline for repair -- typically 14 days.
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