Germany: Tenant renovation obligations and legal requirements

In Germany, tenant obligations regarding apartment renovations depend heavily on specific contract clauses and the condition of the property at the time of move-in. While landlords are generally responsible for maintaining a property in a contractually agreed condition under § 535 BGB, they may transfer the duty of cosmetic repairs to tenants through valid contractual agreements.

However, a signature on a lease does not automatically make a renovation clause valid. If a clause unfairly disadvantages the tenant, it may be deemed ineffective. Key factors determining whether a tenant must renovate include the exact wording of the rental agreement, whether the apartment was originally handed over unrenovated, and whether the requested work exceeds standard wear and tear.