Thuringia Landlord Disclosure Requirements: What You Must Tell Tenants
Required disclosures for landlords in Thuringia, Germany: energy performance certificates, rent brake obligations in Erfurt and Jena, and tenant registration...
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
German law imposes a number of specific disclosure obligations on landlords at or before the signing of a tenancy agreement. The primary governing legislation, the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), has been in effect since 1 January 1900. Landlords in Thuringia must comply with both federal requirements and — if renting in Erfurt or Jena — additional disclosure rules tied to the rent brake. Failures to disclose can result in fines, lost rent claims, or lease challenges.
Legal DisclaimerThis guide provides general legal information. Lease laws can change. Always consult a licensed notary or lawyer in this region.
1. Energy Performance Certificate (Energieausweis)
Under the Buildings Energy Act (Gebäudeenergiegesetz, GEG), specifically § 87, landlords are legally required to present a valid Energy Performance Certificate to prospective tenants:
At the Viewing
The certificate must be displayed or handed over as a copy without being asked, at the very first viewing. It is not sufficient to wait for the tenant to request it.
After Signing
Following conclusion of the lease, the tenant must receive a copy of the certificate within a reasonable period.
Property Listings
Commercial property listings (whether in print or online portals) must state specific data from the certificate:
- Type of certificate (demand-based or consumption-based)
- Final energy demand or consumption value
- Primary energy carrier for heating
- Year of construction
- Energy efficiency class (for certificates issued after 1 May 2014)
Missing this information in a listing risks commercial warning letters and regulatory fines.
2. Rent Brake Disclosure — Erfurt and Jena Only
When letting an existing residential property in Erfurt or Jena under the Mietpreisbremse (current until 31.12.2027), the initial rent may not exceed the local reference rent (ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete) by more than 10%.
If the landlord wishes to charge a higher rent based on a statutory exemption, they must disclose that exemption proactively, in writing, before the lease is signed (§ 556g BGB). The three exemptions are:
Consequence of failing to disclose: The landlord loses the right to collect the portion of rent that exceeds the 10% threshold. The exemption can be disclosed belatedly, but the above-threshold rent only becomes collectible two years after that late disclosure.
3. Tenant Registration Confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung)
Since 2015, the Federal Registration Act (BMG) requires landlords to issue a formal move-in confirmation to every new tenant within two weeks of move-in (§ 19 BMG). The confirmation must include:
- The full address of the property
- Move-in date
- Full names of all moving-in individuals
- The landlord's own name and signature
This document is required by the local residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). Failure to provide it is an administrative offence subject to a fine.
4. General Pre-Contractual Disclosure Duties
German law (§ 241 para. 2 BGB) requires landlords to proactively disclose any information that is material to the tenant's decision to enter the lease — even if not asked — when the landlord is aware of it and it cannot reasonably be expected that the tenant would discover it themselves. Examples include:
- Known structural defects (e.g., recurrent flooding, hidden mould behind walls)
- Upcoming major construction works in the immediate vicinity that the landlord knows of
- Planned demolition or significant reconstruction of the building within a foreseeable period
Concealing such facts can entitle the tenant to rescind the contract for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Best Practices for Thuringia Landlords
- Get signatures on the energy certificate: Have tenants confirm receipt of the energy certificate in the lease or a separate hand-over note with date.
- Document Erfurt/Jena disclosures in writing before signing: A simple letter or email sent to the tenant noting the exemption and its basis suffices to protect you.
- Issue the registration confirmation on move-in day — do not leave it until later.
See also our guides on Rent Increases and Lease Requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
▶What disclosures must landlords provide in Thuringia?
Landlords in Thuringia must disclose relevant property information to prospective tenants before the lease is signed. Required disclosures may include known defects, environmental hazards, previous damage, and any conditions affecting the tenant's use of the property, in compliance with both regional and national law.
▶What are the key landlord-tenant laws in Thuringia?
Thuringia (Thüringen) is one of Germany's sixteen federal states, with major cities including Erfurt (the state capital), Jena, Gera, and Weimar. Landlord-tenant law in Germany is primarily federal, governed by the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, BGB). However, Thuringia has enacted its own regional ordinance (ThürMiSchuV) adding specific rent controls in Erfurt and Jena that every landlord in those cities must understand. This guide covers the essential compliance requirements for property owners and landlords.
Read the complete guide▶What is the eviction process for landlords in Thuringia?
The eviction process in Thuringia requires landlords to follow formal legal procedures established by both regional and national law. Valid grounds typically include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or the landlord's personal use of the property. Landlords must provide proper written notice, allow any required cure periods, and may need to obtain a court or tribunal order.
Read the complete guide▶What are the rent increase rules in Thuringia?
Thuringia has specific rules governing when and how landlords can increase rent, which may include caps on the percentage of increase, minimum notice periods, and restrictions on frequency. These rules may differ from national standards, so landlords must check regional regulations.
Read the complete guide▶What are the security deposit rules in Thuringia?
Security deposit rules in Thuringia govern how much landlords can charge, how deposits must be held or protected, and the timeline for returning deposits after a tenancy ends. Landlords must provide itemized statements of any deductions and comply with all regional and national statutory deadlines.
Read the complete guide▶What are the mandatory lease requirements in Thuringia?
Lease agreements for rental properties in Thuringia must comply with both regional and Germany national law. Required elements typically include the names of both parties, property description, rent amount and payment terms, deposit details, lease duration, and maintenance responsibility allocation.
Read the complete guide▶What are landlord maintenance obligations in Thuringia?
Landlords in Thuringia are required to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition, ensuring the structure, plumbing, electrical systems, and essential services are in proper working order. Regional laws in Thuringia may impose additional requirements beyond the national standard.
Read the complete guide▶What are the late fee rules in Thuringia?
Thuringia has specific rules regarding late fees and penalties for overdue rent. These may include mandatory grace periods, caps on fee amounts, and restrictions on interest charges. Check both regional and Germany national regulations for the applicable rules.
Read the complete guide📬 Get notified when these laws change
We'll email you when landlord-tenant laws update in No spam — only law changes.
