What Are the Rental Laws in Berlin?

Renting an apartment in Berlin can be exciting and stressful at the same time. Knowing the key rental laws, from the Mietpreisbremse to tenant rights, makes both the search and everyday renting much more manageable.

Is there still a Mietpreisbremse in Berlin?

Yes. The Mietpreisbremse caps rent on new leases and applies to leases signed since June 1, 2015: rent may not exceed the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete by more than ten percent. The original ordinance would have expired at the end of May 2025, but the Senate extended it without a gap: since January 1, 2026, the Mietpreisbremse has applied to the entire city of Berlin, through December 31, 2029, according to the Senate's press release. New buildings and comprehensively modernized apartments first ready for occupancy after October 1, 2014, remain exempt.

What applies to rent increases on existing leases?

For existing tenancies, the Kappungsgrenze under Section 558 BGB also applies: landlords can raise the rent by at most 15 percent within three years, since Berlin is designated as an area with a tight housing market, and must justify that increase in a verifiable way. For modernizations, landlords can additionally pass on eight percent of the costs per year, capped at three euros per square meter over six years.

What are tenant rights in Germany?

German rental law protects tenants extensively. Key rights include privacy protection, regulated rent increases, and at least three months' notice before any increase. Landlords may not enter the apartment without permission, and every rent increase must be justified in writing and be verifiable, usually by reference to the Mietspiegel.

How can I navigate rental issues in Berlin?

Familiarize yourself with the Mietpreisbremse, the Kappungsgrenze, and your rights as a tenant before viewing an apartment. At group viewings, it helps to come prepared with a Selbstauskunft and a SCHUFA report. Joining a tenant association such as the Berliner Mieterverein provides legal support and advice if a dispute arises. For more, see our guide on documents needed to rent an apartment in Germany.

Bottom line

Understanding Berlin's rental laws makes both the apartment search and everyday renting much more predictable. The key points are the Mietpreisbremse extended through 2029, the Kappungsgrenze on existing leases, and knowing your rights as a tenant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a rent cap in Berlin?

Berlin's standalone Mietendeckel was struck down by the Federal Constitutional Court in April 2021. The federal Mietpreisbremse still applies, however, capping rent on new leases at ten percent above the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete.

How can I determine the ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete in Berlin?

Via the official Berlin Mietspiegel, which sorts apartments into price ranges by age bracket, location, and fittings.

What is the average rent in Berlin?

Rent varies widely by district, building age, and fittings. The Berlin Mietspiegel gives the specific figure for an apartment, not a flat citywide average.

What should I know about tenant associations in Berlin?

Tenant associations such as the Berliner Mieterverein offer legal advice and support with rent increases, terminations, and other disputes.

Can landlords raise the rent every year in Berlin?

An increase is possible no sooner than 15 months after the rent was last set and is capped at 15 percent within three years. Landlords must justify every increase in writing.

For how the Mietpreisbremse works in Berlin in detail, see Mietpreisbremse Berlin: Current Updates & Impact. For Berlin's overall housing shortage, see Why Is Berlin's Housing Market So Tight?. Find matching listings via Waitly Search.