Living in Germany

A top court just made it harder for landlords to make you paint your flat before you leave

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has strengthened the rights of tenants to leave cosmetic repairs to their landlord.

smoking

Germany's favourite smoker wins battle against eviction

How a pensioner with a serious smoking habit won a years-long fight for his right to keep his home - and his favourite pastime.

Renting

Landlord 'right' to expel tenant over insults

A court in Munich has decided that a landlord acted within the law when he threw out his tenants over a barrage of insults.

Renting

Court finds that you need money to pay rent

Germany's highest court has found that there are definite limits to the excuses you can offer your landlord for not paying your rent.

toilet

Judge: Landlords can't stop men standing to pee

Splashy urinators may now micturate in peace, after a man won a court battle against his landlord for the right to tinkle as nature intended.

housing

Sleepless couple sues over loud snorer in upstairs flat

A couple from Bonn is suing their landlord for promising them a quiet flat – but failing to tell them about the man living above who snored so loudly they could not sleep.