My landlord gave me notice to leave — is it valid, and who helps?
A landlord can only end a tenancy on the grounds the law lists, in writing, with the legal notice period, and in most countries only a court can actually evict you. A notice by text message, or "because I want to", is usually void. Do not move out on the strength of a letter. Verbraucherzentrale (verbraucherzentrale.de) checks the notice for free and represents tenants; Mieterverein (Deutscher Mieterbund) (mieterbund.de) decides disputes about validity and can extend the tenancy on hardship grounds; Amtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / Prozesskostenhilfe (bmj.de) is your free legal aid if it reaches court.
🗣️ What to say
"I received your notice of [date] ending the tenancy of [address] on [date]. I do not accept it: [no legal ground / period too short / not in the required form]. I will remain in the property and continue to pay the rent. Any further step must go through Mieterverein (Deutscher Mieterbund) / the court."
🪜 Step by step
- Do not leave, keep payingLeaving on an invalid notice forfeits your rights; not paying gives them a valid ground.
- Check ground, form, periodSale of the property, own use, renovation, arrears — each has conditions and a minimum period. Verbraucherzentrale checks it in one appointment.
- Object in writingWithin any objection deadline on the notice. State that you do not accept and why.
- Hardship extension: Mieterverein (Deutscher Mieterbund)Age, illness, children in school, no alternative housing — many countries let the board or court extend or refuse the eviction.
- Court and legal aid: Amtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / ProzesskostenhilfeOnly a court order plus a bailiff can remove you. Legal aid covers tenants on low income.
📇 All contacts
❓ Frequently asked
The landlord changed the locks
That is illegal in every EU country. Call the police, document it, and Verbraucherzentrale will get you back in and claim damages.
I am behind on rent
Arrears are a valid ground, but paying up before the hearing stops most evictions. Talk to debt advice the same week.
They say they need the flat for family
"Own use" requires a genuine, provable need and the full notice period; a sham own-use claim entitles you to compensation.
📎 Sources
- Verbraucherzentrale →
- Mieterverein (Deutscher Mieterbund) →
- Amtsgericht — Beratungshilfe / Prozesskostenhilfe →
- Petitionsausschuss / Bürgerbeauftragte der Länder →
🔎 Common searches
Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.
- “eviction notice valid Germany”
- “landlord wants me out tenant rights”
- “notice period tenant Germany”
- “landlord changed locks illegal”
- “stop eviction hardship”
🧭 Is this still correct?
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