Understanding the Rental Contract
When you find a suitable property to rent, you will be required to sign a rental contract. This contract gives details of the property, states the agreed rent, rental term and payment term, and explains the rights and obligations of both landlord and tenant. A typical rental contract will contain:
- Date and place where contract is created and signed
- Personal details of the landlord
- Personal details of the tenant
- Details of property being rented, including location, size and layout
- Length of the rental term
- Rent payable to landlord by tenant
- Signature of both landlord and tenant
Make sure that you read the rental contract carefully before you sign, to ensure that you agree with its terms and conditions. Pay special attention to important clauses and to legal terms. If the landlord does not present you with a written contract, consider the disadvantages associated with an oral agreement. Remember that the contract you sign is the evidence you will use to protect yourself, should a disagreement with your landlord result in court action. If you wish to terminate the rental agreement you will need to observe the cancellation procedure detailed in the contract.
For more information on rental contracts in Germany, see:
