One in three families renting an apartment is experiencing excessive difficulties.
According to data published on Monday, the number of tenants in Germany who have sued their landlords over disputes regarding rent has been steadily increasing in recent years. What are the reasons for this and what do they say about the rental market in the country?
Data from the German Tenants' Association (DMB) showed a sharp rise in lawsuits concerning rent increases. Rent increases have become the second most common cause of legal disputes between tenants and landlords. This data also indicates that tenants are increasingly willing to fight for fair treatment in a rental market that is becoming more complex to navigate.
According to the DMB, the main reason for legal disputes between tenants and landlords is "general breaches of contract" (28.4% of the total), which encompass everything from pet rules to repairs.
The share of lawsuits between tenants and landlords specifically concerning rent increases rose from 17.4 percent in 2024 to 21.8 percent.
Operating costs, such as disputes over heating bills or utilities, were the third most common cause of legal disputes, accounting for 16.4 percent.
Among other significant causes of disputes were issues related to rental deposits (15.7 percent), terminations for "personal use" (6.8 percent), and terminations without prior notice (4.9 percent).
The demand for consultations regarding lease terminations for personal use has increased by 30–50 percent in recent years. According to the Tenants' Association, there are grounds to suspect that in about half of such cases, claims of personal use are used as a pretext.
In a broader context, according to the German Federal Statistical Office, nearly 197,000 cases related to rental law were registered in 2024, which is almost eight percent more than the previous year.
The President of the Tenants' Association, Melanie Weber-Moritz, explained the sharp rise in lawsuits related to rent to the growing pressure on the rental housing market.
She also pointed to a lack of effective rent control in some cities. There, rental rates are rising at double-digit rates.
"Already, one in three families renting a home is experiencing excessive housing difficulties. This trend needs to be urgently stopped," her press release stated.
Tenants facing increasing pressure in the modern market are becoming more aware of their rights and more inclined to assert them. New digital tools and apps make it easier for tenants to check whether their rent exceeds the legally established threshold.
In Berlin alone, a rent-checking app developed by the Left Party was used more than 200,000 times in 2025. Two-thirds of the checked rental rates exceeded the local average by at least 20 percent and were therefore illegal. The app is currently operational in 28 cities across Germany.
Another possible reason for the rise in lawsuits was mentioned in another DMB report last November. The current state of the rental housing market affects not only the poorest households in Germany. It has a profound impact on the middle class as well. And the middle class has more opportunities and resources to seek legal assistance.
How the Rental Housing Market is Developing in Germany
Germany still has the highest proportion of residents living in rented accommodation in Europe. The number of people living in rented housing continues to grow, especially among families, large households, and low-income individuals.
However, according to the DMB's report on the state of rent for 2025, published in November, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for many.
Families are reportedly suffering the most from rising rents and a lack of space. More affluent families often have more space than they need. Poor tenants live in cramped conditions. This highlights the inefficiency of the housing market.
According to the DMB report, nearly a third of tenants now fear that they will not be able to pay rent in the future. Many people in such situations note that high market rental prices, a lack of available apartments, and the cost of moving are hindering their relocation.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-aTFcd60ZNo?si=7qT0mi-rMJSXxK2M" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
