Required Landlord Disclosures in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Landlords in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are subject to various statutory disclosure and information obligations. Failure to comply can lead to damage claims or the invalidity of certain lease clauses.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult a licensed attorney in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Overview of Required Disclosures

1. Energy Performance Certificate (Mandatory)

At the property viewing or at the latest when signing the lease, the landlord must present the energy performance certificate (Energieausweis) and communicate the relevant energy efficiency class. This obligation arises from the Building Energy Act (GEG).

What must be disclosed:

• Energy efficiency class (A+ through H)
• Primary energy demand or final energy demand
• Main heating system and energy source

Property listings (online and offline) must also include mandatory energy certificate data. Fines of up to €15,000 are possible for violations.

2. Previous Rent Information (Rent Brake Zones)

In areas where the rent brake applies (Rostock, Greifswald, and eight coastal municipalities as of 2026), the landlord must, upon request, explain why the asking rent exceeds the local comparative rent.

Possible exception grounds that must be communicated in writing:

• Previous rent was higher — the prior tenant's rent already exceeded the rent brake threshold (§ 556e BGB)
• Comprehensive modernization — the unit was comprehensively modernized after October 1, 2014
• New construction — the unit was first used after October 1, 2014

The information must be provided in writing (Textform). Without this disclosure, the tenant can retroactively reclaim overpaid rent.

3. Operating Cost Statement

The landlord must prepare an annual operating cost statement. The statement must:

• List all allocated operating cost categories individually
• Specify the allocation key for each item
• Reach the tenant no later than 12 months after the end of the billing period

After that deadline, the landlord can no longer claim additional payments, though they must still refund any credit.

4. Known Defects and Hazards

Landlords are obligated to disclose known material defects before signing the lease. These include:

• Mold or recurring moisture problems
• Hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos in older buildings)
• Noise or odor disturbances from neighbors or commercial operations
• Building permit restrictions (e.g., spaces approved only as offices)

Fraudulent concealment of defects can lead to contract rescission and damages claims.

5. Rental Confirmation

Upon request (e.g., for authorities, BAföG, social benefits), the landlord must issue a written rental confirmation including at minimum:

• Name and address of the tenant
• Address of the rental unit
• Move-in date
• Monthly rent amount

6. House Rules

If house rules (Hausordnung) are incorporated as part of the lease, they must be provided to the tenant before signing. Later changes by the landlord alone are only possible if they fall within the scope of day-to-day property management adjustments.

Best Practices for Landlords

1. Always include the energy certificate in listings — avoids fines
2. Know your disclosure duties — document in writing in rent brake zones
3. Prepare operating cost statements on time — set calendar reminders
4. Proactively disclose defects — legal certainty through transparency
5. Use a handover protocol — document all defects at move-in

How Landager Helps

Landager helps you manage all required documents digitally, track operating cost statement deadlines, and systematically process tenant disclosure requests.

Back to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.