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∑Summatio

Rent Cap Calculator

Check whether your rent complies with the German rent brake. Calculate the maximum permissible rent based on the local comparable rent.

EUR/m\u00B2
m\u00B2
€

Yes, tight housing market area

Maximum Permissible Rent

€924.00

Rent exceeds the rent brake by €26.00

Total Comparable Rent
€840.00
Surcharge (10%)
€84.00
Maximum Permissible
€924.00
Current Rent
€950.00

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Rent Brake in Germany

The rent brake (Mietpreisbremse) is a central instrument of German tenancy law to protect against excessively high rents when signing new leases. In areas with tight housing markets, the rent for a new lease may not exceed 10 percent above the local comparable rent. This is intended to ensure that housing in popular cities and regions remains affordable.

How the Calculator Works

Enter the local comparable rent per square meter, the living area, and your current rent. The calculator determines the maximum permissible rent and shows whether your rent complies with or exceeds the limit. If the rent is too high, the overpaid amount is displayed, which you can in principle reclaim.

Finding the Local Comparable Rent

The local comparable rent can be found in the rent index (Mietspiegel) of your city or municipality. Many cities offer a qualified rent index online. Alternatively, you can obtain information from the tenants association or city administration. Location, size, amenities, and year of construction are taken into account when determining the comparable rent.

Rights When Rent Is Too High

If it turns out that the rent exceeds the rent brake, the tenant has the right to formally object to the landlord in writing. From the receipt of the qualified objection, the overpaid amount can be reclaimed. It is advisable to seek legal advice beforehand to correctly formulate the objection and enforce your claims effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

The rent brake limits the permissible rent for new leases in areas with tight housing markets. The rent may not exceed 10 percent above the local comparable rent. The regulation was introduced to curb the sharp rise in rents in major cities and popular regions.
The rent brake applies in areas that have been designated as tight housing markets by the respective state government through an ordinance. Typically, this affects major cities such as Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt, as well as popular university towns. The exact areas vary by federal state.
The rent brake does not apply to new constructions first used and rented after October 1, 2014. Apartments after comprehensive modernization are also exempt. If the previous tenant already paid a rent above the limit, that rent may be maintained.
If the rent exceeds the rent brake limit, the tenant can formally object to the landlord in writing. From the moment of the formal objection, the overpaid amount can be reclaimed. It is advisable to send a qualified objection referencing the local comparable rent and to seek legal advice if necessary.

All calculations are for general informational purposes only. Not financial, tax, or legal advice. No guarantee of accuracy. Use at your own risk. Full disclaimer