Dienstag, 25.06.2024
What am I liable for if I lose the key to my rented apartment?
The legal position regarding theft and loss
from
Lars Christian NerbelLawyer
Specialist lawyer for construction and architectural law
Specialist lawyer for tenancy and property law
Give me a call: 0228 - 972 798 203
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In this article, Lars Christian Nerbel, a specialist in tenancy law at caspers mock Anwälte in Koblenz, explains the legal aspects and consequences of losing keys in a tenancy.
- Compensation only for actual costs: A landlord can only claim compensation for a lost key if the locking system has actually been replaced, but not on the basis of a mere cost estimate.
- Culpable loss is crucial: liability for damages only exists if the key was culpably lost, such as through careless hiding under a doormat. In the event of theft through no fault of one's own, e.g. while on vacation, there is no liability.
- Local distance reduces risk of damage: A tenant is not required to pay compensation if the lost key cannot be assigned to a residential property, for example if the key is lost far away from the rented property and no address is noted on it.
The statements represent initial information that was current for the law applicable in Germany at the time of initial publication. The legal situation may have changed since then. Furthermore, the information provided cannot replace individual advice on a specific matter. Please contact us for this purpose.