If the heating fails in winter, it can get uncomfortable.
If it lasts longer and the landlord does nothing, tenants have the right to reduce the rent.
But by how much?
Although the winter of 2022/2023 is unusually mild, the temperatures in many places are only a few degrees Celsius.
It can get even colder at night.
If you then want to turn up the thermostat and the radiator stays cold, you will be annoyed at first.
The heating system in the house may be defective.
In some cases, the warm water also fails, which can be particularly uncomfortable.
heating fails?
Rent reduction is possible - under one condition
Out of frustration, some tenants then think about simply reducing the rent for the next month.
While this is legal, the landlord should first be given the opportunity to respond.
Let them know immediately and if they don't fix the problem within the time limit, you're entitled to a rent reduction.
Basically, after all, tenants are entitled to a heated apartment and hot water.
If one or both fail, this is a serious defect in the rental property.
But how high can the rent reduction be?
+
If the heating fails in the apartment, tenants should report this to the landlord immediately.
© Daniel Ingold/Imago
The district court of Berlin has decided that it is justified to pay 70 to 75 percent less rent if the heating fails in winter and you have to freeze.
However, the situation is different if “only” one room is not heated.
Then there is also a defect in the rented property, but the rent reduction should not be set too high.
Otherwise it can happen that the landlord even gives notice to the tenant.
You can find everything to do with household and garden tips in the regular living newsletter from our partner Merkur.de.
Is a rent reduction also retrospective?
So it's not that simple: The amount of the rent reduction depends on various factors, for example whether the heating fails completely or only partially or how long the minimum temperature of 20 degrees in the living rooms is undershot.
Ultimately, the regional and district courts decide on this individually on a case-by-case basis.
Furniture, refrigerators, lighting: seven tips for saving electricity in your own four walls
Furniture, refrigerators, lighting: seven tips for saving electricity in your own four walls
By the way: A rent reduction is also possible retrospectively.
From the point in time at which the defect occurred.
But: If you do not tell the landlord for a long time that the heating has failed and then retrospectively request a reduction, it may be that the right to do so expires.
List of rubrics: © Daniel Ingold/Imago