Apartment Termination Letter for Germany

A German lease termination letter doesn't have to be complicated, but it does need certain mandatory details and written form. This guide covers what to include, how to deliver it, and mistakes to avoid.

What must a termination letter include?

Under Section 568 BGB, terminating a tenancy requires written form. Your letter should include:

Your full name and the address of the rented flat
The landlord's name and address
The date of the letter
A clear statement that you're terminating the lease at the next legally possible date
Your handwritten signature (all tenants' signatures, if there's more than one)

Sample wording: "I hereby terminate the lease for the flat at [address], dated [contract date], effective at the next legally possible date." You don't need to state a reason — none is required for an ordinary termination.

How to handle the notice period

The standard notice period for tenants is three months from the date the landlord receives it — see our full guide on terminating a rental contract. Count the deadline from the day the landlord actually receives your letter, not the day you send it.

How to deliver the letter

Send your termination letter by registered mail with return receipt, or hand it over in person against a signed confirmation. Both give you proof of when it arrived, which matters if there's ever a dispute about whether the deadline was met. A plain email or fax is not legally sufficient.

Where to find a reliable template

Free sample termination letters are available from the German Tenants' Association (Deutscher Mieterbund) and local tenants' associations — usually kept current with the law and free of hidden costs. Before using a template from an unfamiliar website, check whether it actually includes the mandatory details required under Section 568 BGB.

What if you need to terminate without notice?

Extraordinary termination without notice under Section 543 BGB is only possible under narrow conditions, such as serious defects in the flat or a serious breach of contract by the landlord. In that case, you must state the reason in the letter and should secure all evidence (photos, correspondence) beforehand. Consult a tenants' association before sending it.