Baden-Württemberg Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

Rental property law in Baden-Württemberg is primarily governed by the German federal Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, BGB), supplemented by state-level regulations — most notably the rent brake (Mietpreisbremse) and the reduced rent cap (Kappungsgrenze). For landlords managing residential properties, understanding both the federal framework and the state-specific rules is essential.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. German tenancy law is complex and changes regularly. Always consult a licensed attorney in Baden-Württemberg for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Key Baden-Württemberg Rental Laws at a Glance

Security Deposits

Under § 551 BGB, the security deposit for residential property is capped at three months' net cold rent (i.e., excluding utility charges). The landlord must hold the deposit in a separate, insolvency-proof account, and the tenant may pay in three equal monthly installments. Any interest earned belongs to the tenant.

For more detail, see our Security Deposits guide.

Rent Control: The Rent Brake and Rent Cap

Baden-Württemberg has implemented a Tenant Protection Ordinance (Mieterschutzverordnung) that applies to areas with tight housing markets. On December 16, 2025, the state government extended these protections through December 31, 2026, now covering 130 cities and municipalities.

The Rent Brake (Mietpreisbremse)

When re-letting a property, the rent may not exceed 10% above the local comparable rent (ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete), unless an exemption applies (e.g., new construction after October 2014 or comprehensive renovation).

The Rent Cap (Kappungsgrenze)

For existing tenancies, the rent may increase by a maximum of 15% within any three-year period (reduced from the standard 20%) until the local comparable rent is reached.

For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.

Eviction and Termination

German tenancy law provides some of the strongest tenant protections in Europe. A landlord can only terminate an open-ended residential lease with a legitimate interest — most commonly:

• Personal use (Eigenbedarf): The landlord needs the property for themselves or close family members
• Serious breach of contract: Persistent non-payment, unauthorized subletting, or repeated violations
• Economic exploitation: The landlord is prevented from reasonable economic use of the property

Statutory notice periods for landlords (§ 573c BGB):

• Tenancy up to 5 years: 3 months
• Tenancy 5–8 years: 6 months
• Tenancy over 8 years: 9 months

An extraordinary termination without notice is possible in cases of serious breach, most commonly when the tenant is in arrears for two consecutive months.

For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.

Required Disclosures

Landlords in Germany must provide several key documents and disclosures:

• Energy performance certificate: Must be shown to prospective tenants at viewing and handed over at contract signing
• Landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung): Must be issued within two weeks of move-in for municipal registration
• Prior rent disclosure: Required in rent-brake areas if the landlord is relying on a prior rent exemption

For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.

Maintenance Obligations

Under § 535 BGB, the landlord must maintain the rental property in a condition fit for its contractual use throughout the tenancy. This includes structural repairs, heating systems, plumbing, and building infrastructure.

An important exception is the minor repairs clause (Kleinreparaturklausel): if properly drafted in the lease, it can shift the cost of small repairs (typically €100–120 per item, capped annually) to the tenant for items the tenant frequently uses (e.g., faucets, light switches).

For more detail, see our Maintenance Obligations guide.

Late Fees and Default Interest

When a tenant fails to pay rent on time (due by the third business day of the month), default interest of 5 percentage points above the base rate applies automatically. Unlike in the US, flat late fee penalties are generally unenforceable in German residential tenancy law. Courts only accept modest dunning charges of around €2.50–3.00 per notice.

For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.

Lease Requirements

While residential leases can technically be concluded orally, written form is mandatory for fixed-term contracts exceeding one year (§ 550 BGB). Fixed-term leases (Zeitmietverträge) are only permitted for specific, legally recognized reasons. Certain standard clauses — such as rigid renovation schedules or blanket pet bans — are regularly struck down as invalid by German courts.

For more detail, see our Lease Requirements guide.

Getting Started with Compliance

Managing compliance across Germany's multi-layered regulatory landscape — with federal law, state ordinances, and local variations — can be challenging. Landager helps landlords track lease terms, monitor regulatory changes specific to Baden-Württemberg, and stay on top of mandatory deadlines.

Explore more Baden-Württemberg compliance topics:

• Security Deposits
• Eviction Process
• Required Disclosures
• Rent Increases
• Lease Requirements
• Maintenance Obligations
• Late Fees