Windows, balconies, water: this is how you make your apartment fit for vacation
Created: 07/04/2022, 20:37
Tenants must also ensure that nothing happens at home during the holiday trip.
(symbolic photo) © Elmar Gubisch via www.imago-images.de
Tenants must also ensure that nothing happens at home during the holiday trip.
An overview of the most important regulations before the summer season.
Munich – It's summer and vacation is coming up.
Renters who are relocating from their own apartment to a holiday apartment, a hotel or perhaps a tent for a few days or weeks should not forget their "duty of care" for the four walls at home.
Tenants must also take care of their apartment during a holiday trip
Tenants not only have to take care of the apartment when they are present, but also make sure that nothing happens at home during longer absences.
For this reason, you should take precautionary measures to ensure that no damage occurs to the rented apartment during your vacation.
These include, in particular, closing the windows due to the risk of heavy rain, keeping the balcony drains clear of leaves and, under certain circumstances, turning off the water in the apartment.
It is also recommended to turn off the water supply lines for washing machines and dishwashers.
Tenants are not obliged to pull the mains plug in the apartment.
The electronic devices may run on stand-by.
If there is a cleaning plan for the stairwell or a work plan for the garden, this also applies to tenants who are on vacation.
Such obligations continue to exist.
Therefore, tenants should definitely take care of a representative or try to exchange with neighbors.
Caution: If the representation causes damage, the vacationing tenants are liable for it.
And: If the stairwell is culpably not cleaned, landlords can order a cleaning service (or sweep and wipe themselves) and charge the defaulting tenant for the costs.
Subletting during a holiday trip: the regulations
It is also important that tenants are obliged to ensure that their apartment is adequately inspected.
The keys do not have to be handed over to the landlord or perhaps the caretaker for this.
It is sufficient if the front door and apartment key is given to a trusted person nearby and the landlord is informed about it.
There are tenants who sublet their apartment during their absence in order to receive some money in addition to "guarding" the apartment.
Permission for "tourist subletting" must first be obtained.
However, tenants are not entitled to this.
If the apartment is sublet to holiday guests without permission, the tenancy can be terminated.
It should also be noted that approval for regular subletting (which is usually not a problem) does not include temporary subletting to holidaymakers.
If the apartment is located in an area covered by a so-called misappropriation ordinance, the approval of the district office may also be required.
Violations of the permit requirement can result in fines.
You can find out from the town hall whether the apartment is in such an area.
Author: Maik Heitmann