Heating

Heating in winter

During the heating period – usually from 1 October to 30 April – the landlord must set the central heating system so that a minimum temperature of between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius can be reached in the flat. However, the landlord does not have to guarantee these temperatures ‘around the clock’. At night, for example between midnight and 6 a.m., 18 degrees Celsius is also sufficient after a night-time reduction. If the above-mentioned minimum temperatures are not reached, this constitutes a defect. The tenant can demand remedy and, if necessary, reduce the rent.

Heating in summer

In summer, the landlord must always provide heating if the outside temperature is below 12 degrees for three days. If it is only cool for one day, this is not necessary, as the indoor temperature usually lasts for several days. Depending on the room, the temperature must be at least 20 degrees Celsius. At night, the temperature must not fall below 18 degrees Celsius. If the landlord refuses to switch on the heating, the tenant can reduce the rent.

If only one of the neighbours in the apartment building wants to heat in the cold summer, then all tenants will incur costs, as the basic costs incurred are allocated to all tenants in the operating cost statement. One example of this is the costs arising from the electricity consumption of the switched-on heating. In this respect, costs are incurred by all parties – regardless of individual heating behaviour.