Tenancy law: standing showering prohibited? In some cases it is

Whoever takes a shower may be acting contrary to the terms of the contract.

This can result in financial losses, as a court ruling shows.

Berlin - If mold develops in the apartment, the landlord is usually responsible.

Mold is harmful to health and must therefore be removed properly.

Even a rent reduction of up to 30 percent is possible.

For this, however, it is relevant whether tenants shower properly.

A verdict shows: anyone who takes a shower while standing may be behaving in breach of contract.

Rent reduction deleted: This ruling prohibits showering while standing

Mold in the bathroom can be a defect and lead to a reduction in rent.

However, only if tenants use the bathtub properly.

Because the decisive factor is who is responsible for the formation of mold.

If the tile level does not reach the ceiling, showering while standing can cause wet walls - the mold is caused by the tenant.

At least that comes from a judgment of the Regional Court of Cologne (Az .: 1 S 32/15) on which the German Tenants' Association reports.

The tenant is responsible for the mold damage himself, he used the bathroom contrary to the contract by showering standing in the bathtub, according to the tenants' association in the report.

So if you have a bathtub without a shower attachment and only half-height tiled walls, you should take a seated shower.

Tenancy law: tenants have to pay attention to this

There are often disagreements between tenants and landlords, for example when it comes to drilling holes.

A ruling by the Stuttgart Regional Court now shows: Landlords must be able to prove that the tenant has caused damage.

The burden of proof lies with the landlord.

When it comes to showering, however, there is also good news, at least as far as the time is concerned: Landlords are not allowed to forbid their tenants to shower at night.

Anyone who has specified certain bathing or showering times in the house rules does not have to adhere to them.

Such a clause is usually ineffective, says the German Tenants' Association, according to the

.

If you want, you can shower in the middle of the night.

Depending on the tile level in the bathroom, it is better to only sit down.