What must a landlord's notice for own use state in Germany?

The reasons, in the notice letter itself: reasons left out count later only if they arose afterwards (§ 573(3) BGB). For own use that means who is to move in — the landlord, a family member or a member of the landlord's household (§ 573(2) no. 2 BGB) — how that person is related to the landlord, and why they need this particular flat, for example a growing family, a job or care needs. General phrases such as “for personal reasons” are not enough.

How long is a landlord's notice period in Germany?

Three months, extended by three months each after five and after eight years since the flat was handed over — so three, six or nine months (§ 573c(1) BGB). It is counted as for the tenant: the notice must arrive by the third working day of a month, and Saturday counts as a working day. The letter names the intended end date and, as a fallback, the next possible date, so that a period calculated too tightly does not defeat the notice.

Must a landlord in Germany tell the tenant about the right to object?

The landlord should point out, in good time before the objection period ends, the possibility, form and deadline of an objection (§ 568(2) BGB). Since 1 January 2025 text form is enough for the objection, so an e-mail will do (§ 574b(1) BGB); older templates still say written form. If the notice is missing or late, the tenant can still object at the first hearing of the eviction case (§ 574b(2) BGB). The letter contains the notice with the current form.

When is a notice for own use barred in Germany, or based on something else?

After a let flat is converted into a condominium unit and sold, the buyer cannot rely on own use for three years, or up to ten years where a state ordinance says so (§ 577a BGB). A landlord who lives in a building with no more than two flats may give notice without a legitimate interest, with three extra months' notice (§ 573a BGB) — this letter is not meant for that case. The need must be genuine; a pretended need can make the landlord liable to the tenant for damages.

How is a landlord's notice in Germany validly served?

It needs written form (§ 568(1) BGB): printed and signed by hand by every landlord, addressed to every tenant who signed the lease. A qualified electronic signature would be allowed, but works only if the signed file itself arrives; e-mail, fax and scans are void. What matters is receipt (§ 130 BGB): best by handing it over in front of a witness, or by a messenger who knows the letter's content posting it. If a property manager gives notice, the original power of attorney must be enclosed (§ 174 BGB).

Landlord's notice ending a tenancy for own use (Germany)

Name: Landlord's notice ending a tenancy for own use (Germany)
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A landlord's ordinary notice in Germany ending a tenancy because the landlord, a family member or a member of the household needs the flat (§ 573(2) no. 2 of the German Civil Code, BGB). As § 573(3) BGB requires, the letter names the person who is to move in, their relationship to the landlord, where they live now and why they need the flat; it states the notice period by length of tenancy (three, six or nine months), objects to a tacit extension and tells the tenant about the right to object in text form (§ 574b BGB). Written form: print and sign by hand by every landlord. In German.

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The details the document asks for.

Landlord
Landlord's address
Tenant
Street and house number of the flat
Postcode and town of the flat
City
Date
Where the flat is in the building (e.g. 2nd floor left, flat 7)
Date of the contract
Who gives notice: the only landlord, or all landlords together (where there are several, all give notice and sign)
Date of termination
Flat let to the tenant since (start of the tenancy)
Notice period in months
Person who is to move in (full name)
Relationship to the landlord (e.g. the landlord, a child, a parent, a carer in the household)
Where the person lives now (e.g. a rented two-room flat)
Why the person needs this particular flat
Contact phone

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Common questions

What must a landlord's notice for own use state in Germany?: The reasons, in the notice letter itself: reasons left out count later only if they arose afterwards (§ 573(3) BGB). For own use that means who is to move in — the landlord, a family member or a member of the landlord's household (§ 573(2) no. 2 BGB) — how that person is related to the landlord, and why they need this particular flat, for example a growing family, a job or care needs. General phrases such as “for personal reasons” are not enough.
How long is a landlord's notice period in Germany?: Three months, extended by three months each after five and after eight years since the flat was handed over — so three, six or nine months (§ 573c(1) BGB). It is counted as for the tenant: the notice must arrive by the third working day of a month, and Saturday counts as a working day. The letter names the intended end date and, as a fallback, the next possible date, so that a period calculated too tightly does not defeat the notice.
Must a landlord in Germany tell the tenant about the right to object?: The landlord should point out, in good time before the objection period ends, the possibility, form and deadline of an objection (§ 568(2) BGB). Since 1 January 2025 text form is enough for the objection, so an e-mail will do (§ 574b(1) BGB); older templates still say written form. If the notice is missing or late, the tenant can still object at the first hearing of the eviction case (§ 574b(2) BGB). The letter contains the notice with the current form.
When is a notice for own use barred in Germany, or based on something else?: After a let flat is converted into a condominium unit and sold, the buyer cannot rely on own use for three years, or up to ten years where a state ordinance says so (§ 577a BGB). A landlord who lives in a building with no more than two flats may give notice without a legitimate interest, with three extra months' notice (§ 573a BGB) — this letter is not meant for that case. The need must be genuine; a pretended need can make the landlord liable to the tenant for damages.
How is a landlord's notice in Germany validly served?: It needs written form (§ 568(1) BGB): printed and signed by hand by every landlord, addressed to every tenant who signed the lease. A qualified electronic signature would be allowed, but works only if the signed file itself arrives; e-mail, fax and scans are void. What matters is receipt (§ 130 BGB): best by handing it over in front of a witness, or by a messenger who knows the letter's content posting it. If a property manager gives notice, the original power of attorney must be enclosed (§ 174 BGB).

How you can sign this document

Print it and sign by hand. The signature lines in the document are left blank on purpose — sign on them in ink.
Sign it yourself with a qualified electronic signature. If you already hold a QES — Evrotrust, B-Trust, StampIT, ZealiD or any qualified provider on the EU Trusted List, on a card, a USB token, in a mobile app or in the cloud — our signing guide explains step by step how to sign this exact file without invalidating it. Step-by-step help, and a way to check it worked

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Landlord's notice ending a tenancy for own use (Germany)

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