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Know about when you can get rent reductions in Germany.

According to German law, tenants in Germany are entitled to receive a reduction in rent if their flat has a defect or is in need of repair. Under what circumstances is this reduction applicable? How can one get a reduction?

☀️ Can tenants get a rent reduction if their flat has defects?

The German Tenants' Association says that tenants can get a possible deduction in rent for renovations or rental defects such as mould in walls among others. According to the association, 20% of their consultation with the tenants are about rental defects. As per German law, a tenant is entitled to a reduction in the rent until the rental defect is fixed by the landlord.

☀️ What counts as 'rental defects' in property?

A rental defect refers to any damage to the property such as mould, dampness or cracks in walls, faulty locks, broken lifts, broken heating systems among others. Noise disturbances inside or outside the house can sometimes be counted as a defect. Rent reduction is possible for noise, mould, lack of heating and hot water and even building work if the defect was not mentioned in the rental contract.

☀️ What are the steps one must take to reduce rent?

The tenant must immediately take photographs and contact the landlord if they notice any problem with their flat. If the problem cannot be fixed overnight or if the landlord does not fix it, one can consult a tenant's advocacy group or ask the landlord for a reduction until the problem is fixed. However, if the damage was caused by the tenant, they are not entitled to get a rent reduction.

☀️ Can one get rent reduction in case of delayed repairs?

Generally, a tenant is entitled to a rent reduction until the defect is fixed, even if repairs to the property are delayed. This will apply even if the delays are not entirely the landlord's fault. However, one cannot deliberately obstruct the ongoing work to get rental benefits. The rent reduction law has been set up as an incentive for landlords to sort issues quickly.

☀️ How much rent reduction can a tenant get?

The rent reduction amount depends on how much the defect has weakened the residential value of the flat. For example, if
the heating is broken in one room in a five- room flat, a 15-20% reduction is possible as the room becomes inhabitable in the winter. If the defect makes the place uninhabitable, then the tenant need not pay the rent until the issue is fixed.

Rent can be reduced by 5-20% for bad smells, no hot water can cut the rent to 15% or between 3.5-10% if the water takes too long to warm up. In the case of building work, the reduction can go up to 35%, depending on the range of noise. Rent reduction is applied to the tenant's 'warm' rent which includes basic rent plus utility bills such as heating.

@mallusingermany
Deutsche Bahn offers a special Bahn Comfort status to its customers in Germany.

What is the 'Comfort status' offered by Deutsche Bahn in Germany?

Do Deutsche Bahn Comfort customers get special DB offers?

Deutsche Bahn Comfort status holders get special offers with DB partners in the travel sector. Discounts and offers such as the upgrade of one vehicle class in car rental firms such as Sixt, Avis and Europcar, can be availed. Room upgrades are also provided subject to availability in hotels such as Intercity and Hyatt. In addition, access to DB museums is free with an accompanying person.

How to avail Deutsche Bahn's Comfort status?

Bahncard holders who participate in Deutsche Bahn 'Bahn Bonus Program' and collect 2000 status points within 12 months are awarded the Bahn Comfort status. The silver Bahncard with Comfort status is automatically delivered, replacing the old card. However, the status can be lost if 2000 points are not collected again within the next 12 months. Buying a Bahncard 100 also gives Comfort status.


Advantages of Deutsche Bahn's Comfort status?

Bahn Comfort customers have access to all Deutsche Bahn lounges even without a valid ticket in Germany. This includes free drinks and access to WiFi and restrooms. The passenger can also have one accompanying guest. They also have access to lounges in other EU nations but with a valid ticket. Hotlines for reservations are also available, in addition to preferential treatment in DB travel centres.

Advantages of Deutsche Bahn's comfort status?

Rows of seats near the onboard restaurant are reserved for Deutsche Bahn Comfort customers. Thus, Comfort passengers have a guaranteed seat at all times, as regular passengers cannot sit on them. Comfort customers can also book seats specially reserved for them by telephone via the Comfort hotline or in the travel centre until shortly before the departure of even fully booked trains.

@mallusingermany
Getting permanent residency
faster in Germany

Obtaining permanent residency in Germany usually requires waiting of around five years. But there are a few was that this process can be accelerated. What are the requirements for fast-tracked permanent residency?


What is permanent residency?

Permanent residence refers to an unrestricted right of residence in Germany without an expiry date or requirements such as education or employment. It is a good alternative for those who cannot get German citizenship. However, the freedom of movement in the EU, the right to vote and the right to return to Germany after living abroad for a few years are not included with permanent residency.


Does being a civil servant help get PR faster?

A foreigner can apply for permanent residency in just three years if they work for a life-long tenure for a public-service employer in Germany. However, these jobs are usually reserved for EU nationals, making it harder for third-country nationals to get them. However, the new govt plans to allow foreign nationals to get PR in three years instead of five years in the future.

Do EU Blue Card holders get PR faster?

Those who have an EU Blue Card and can speak a basic level of German can get permanent residency after just 33 months if they are employed and have pension contributions throughout their stay. Blue Card holders can get a PR in 21 months if they are employed and have B1-level German language skills. Fast-track PR is also possible if one has lived with a German family member for three years.

Does owning a business help get PR faster?

Being a self-employed business owner and earning above a certain threshold is another way to get permanent residence quicker in Germany. The income should be sufficient to take care of one's family. One must also have pension contributions or show that they have around €200,000 in assets reserved for old age. Owning health insurance is also a must. One can then apply for a PR in three years.


Does being a skilled worker help get PR faster?

If one is not keen to wait half a decade for permanent residency, there are some key exceptions to secure the same much more quickly. If the person is well qualified and works as a skilled worker, they can apply for permanent residency after four years. However, they must have paid pension and health insurance contributions along with B1 level German language skills.


Does studying in Germany help get PR faster?

People can generally apply for permanent residency (PR) after living in Germany on a residence permit for five years. They also require good German language skills and a stable income. But people can get a PR faster if they have studied at a German university or completed a vocational training course. One can apply for a PR two years after they find a job that suits their qualifications.

@malllusingermany