Hints for tenants

If you want to play it safe, ask the tenant sub-letting the property for her/his permission to sublet accommodation. Please handle the sublet room(s) and all items within with care. Contracts are best in written form.

Permission to sublet accommodation

Mitwohnzentrale assumes that any tenant who wants to sublet room(s) has asked his landlord for permission. If any difficulties arise after you have moved in you have to resolve them with the tenant sub-letting the property who made the contract with you. If you want to move in for a longer period of time ask for her/his permission to sublet. This will save you unpleasant surprises.

Contract

A proper contract is important for tenants sub-letting property as well as tenants staying for a short period of time. If exceptions to the standardized paragraphs in the contract are made between those two parties they should be taken down in writing as well. This saves you arguments in case of difficulties occurring.

Period for giving notice

The best way is to make a contract for a limited period of time. As it is binding for both parties, you can´t be moved out of the room(s) before the rental period is over. Please note that this kind of contract is binding for you as well. So, if there is the possibility that you might need the room(s) for a longer period of time you should make a contract with an option for prolongation.

In case of damage

Should you cause any damage to the flat sublet to you, your liability insurance will cover the expenses. Damages done to room(s) let to you for accommodation are covered by that insurance. This is not the case with items / furniture provided to you. If you should damage any of these items your insurance won´t pay for it. You would be obliged to pay for the damage yourself. In most cases the tenant sub-letting property will ask you for a deposit before you move in and will keep a certain sum of it in a case of damage.

Damages to personal belongings of the tenant sub-letting the property caused by fire, storm, water or burglary are covered by the household and personal effects insurance of the tenant sub-letting the property. As you are the so-called representative of the flat, you are nevertheless obliged to take measures yourself like closing windows, locking entrance doors, shutting taps properly when you are out and not leaving the washing machine unattended.