mietminderung

Rent reduction for hot water problems

7 rulings on this topic – with reduction rate, case number and link to the decision.

Updated: October 2026 · 119 court rulings

Hot water is part of what the landlord owes – around the clock. If it fails completely, for example because the gas supply is cut, courts award high reductions. But it is also a defect when the water takes too long to get warm: the Berlin-Mitte local court followed the DIN 1988-200 standard – 40 °C after 15 seconds, 55 °C after 30 seconds.

A few percent is typical when hot water only arrives with a delay, considerably more when it is missing for days or weeks. Note down when and for how long there is no hot water, or how many seconds it takes to reach temperature.

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8 rulings found

Enforce your right to rent reduction

Create a free defect notice with a rent reduction demand — backed by these court rulings.

Reduce rent
DefectReductionDescription
100 %Total electrical failure after a cable fire; no light, hot water or stove
85 %Gas supply out for 20 months: no heating, hot water or cooking; 85% Oct–Apr, 60% in the other months
85 %Total gas supply failure: no heating, no hot water, no cooking (85% in winter)
50 %Gas supply cut off, no heating or hot water; staggered: Oct 20%, Nov/Mar 30%, Dec–Feb 50%
7.5 %No hot water between 10 pm and 7 am
5 %New building: hot water reaches 55 °C only after 65 seconds (DIN 1988-200)
5 %Hot water reaches 40 °C only after about 50 seconds and never reaches 55 °C
3.5 %Hot water at 40 °C only after a long run-off time