Germany Residential Lease (Mietvertrag) — Bilingual
A residential lease (Mietvertrag) for property in Germany, presented in English with key German terms, covering rent, deposit (Kaution), utilities (Nebenkosten), and notice — aligned with the German Civil Code (BGB) framework.
What's included
- Landlord (Vermieter) and tenant (Mieter) details
- Property description and permitted use
- Rent (Miete) and payment terms
- Operating cost advance (Nebenkosten / Betriebskosten)
- Security deposit (Kaution) — up to 3 months' cold rent
- Term and statutory notice periods (Kündigung)
- Maintenance and cosmetic repairs (Schönheitsreparaturen)
- House rules (Hausordnung)
- German law reference (BGB §§ 535 ff.)
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Inside the document
1. Parties (Vertragsparteien)
This residential lease (Mietvertrag) is concluded between the Landlord (Vermieter) and the Tenant (Mieter) identified below for the residential property (Mietobjekt) described in clause 2.
2. Property and Use (Mietobjekt und Nutzung)
The Landlord lets the residential premises at the stated address, including any listed rooms, cellar, and parking. The premises are let for residential use only. Any commercial use or subletting requires the Landlord's prior written consent (§ 540 BGB).
3. Rent (Miete)
The Tenant shall pay a monthly net cold rent (Nettokaltmiete) of €______, due in advance by the third working day of each month to the Landlord's account. Rent increases follow the statutory rules (§§ 558 ff. BGB) and any applicable rent-control (Mietpreisbremse) limits.
4. Operating Costs (Nebenkosten)
In addition to cold rent, the Tenant shall pay a monthly advance (Vorauszahlung) of €______ toward operating costs (Betriebskosten) as defined in the Operating Costs Ordinance (BetrKV). The Landlord shall provide an annual statement (Betriebskostenabrechnung) and settle any balance.
5. Security Deposit (Kaution)
The Tenant shall provide a security deposit of up to three months' net cold rent, i.e. €______. The Landlord shall hold it in a separate account bearing interest at the usual rate, and return it with interest after the tenancy ends, less any justified claims (§ 551 BGB).
6. Term and Notice (Laufzeit und Kündigung)
The tenancy begins on the stated date and runs for an indefinite period (unbefristet) unless a fixed term is agreed. The Tenant may terminate with three months' notice. The Landlord may terminate only on statutory grounds (e.g. Eigenbedarf) with the statutory notice periods (§§ 573, 573c BGB).
7. Maintenance (Instandhaltung / Schönheitsreparaturen)
The Landlord maintains the structure and installations. Cosmetic repairs (Schönheitsreparaturen) may be allocated to the Tenant only to the extent permitted by current case law; unreasonable rigid schedules are void.
8. House Rules (Hausordnung)
The Tenant shall observe the building's house rules, including quiet hours (Ruhezeiten), proper waste separation (Mülltrennung), and considerate use of shared areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is German tenancy law landlord- or tenant-friendly?
Germany has strong statutory tenant protection. Many BGB provisions are mandatory and override contrary lease terms — this template flags the key ones (deposit cap, notice grounds, cosmetic repairs) so you stay compliant.
How much deposit can I take?
The Kaution is capped at three months' net cold rent and must be held separately and returned with interest (§ 551 BGB). Clause 5 reflects this.
Can I use this for a furnished or short let?
This is a standard residential Mietvertrag. Furnished, temporary (Zwischenmiete), and short-stay lets have different rules — take local advice before adapting it.