Germany faces property‑law challenges: inheritance disputes and Vonovia rent‑increase ruling

German inheritance lawyer Jan Bittler warns that conflicts often arise when a property is part of an estate, especially in blended‑family situations. He advises heirs to organise the inheritance early, consider the composition of the heir community and, if necessary, exclude problematic members, while noting that compulsory portions must still be paid. Bittler cautions that a forced sale of a family home can lead to a partition auction, which usually fetches a price below market value.

In a separate case, 75‑year‑old tenant Monika Hohmann successfully challenged a €1,000 annual rent increase demanded by landlord Vonovia. The Dortmund district court ruled the increase exceeded what the local rent index allowed, setting a precedent for similar disputes. Lawyers cite hundreds of comparable cases across Germany, highlighting a broader pattern of questionable rent‑increase notices from large landlords.

Both stories illustrate how German courts and legal experts are addressing property‑related conflicts, from inheritance to tenancy, aiming to protect individuals from costly disputes.