Rent reduction / Referenzzinssatz [2025]

Real Estate
121

This shouldnt matter unless you somehow feel like a moral obligation* towards your landlord (I don’t as its a company**), no?

* that goes beyond what the law says
** and they also felt no above required moral obligation towards me in the past, so it’s fair game

What matters is what in your last rent increase was written. If they were clever, they’ve put sth like ‘unter vorbehalt von…’ and could claim that if you ask for reduction. If not, you compare to this timepoint. I don’t see how an earlier moving-in date matters at all here then.

122

Actually in my rent increase of 2024, there was some extra number mentioned which was not passed on as increase even if it could have been.

So I think if I ask for reduction, landlord will use that number for calculation.

Maybe I should ask anyway. But I doubt that I will get a reduction. Let’s see

1 Like
123

Hi we have been renting an apartment since Jan last year. I read that the reference interest rate has decreased twice during 2025, which could impact the amount of rent we pay. How best to go about understanding if we are eligible for a rent reduction. I cannot find any reference to an interest rate in our tenancy agreement.

Thanks in advance.

124

You’ll find all you need here:

1 Like
125

Very short summary: current rate is 1.25%, valid since 02.09.2025. In principle, you’re most likely eligible for a reduction. Check your tenancy agreement again. It’s highly unlikely that there is no mention of how your rent is calculated.
As for requesting a reduction, I would check with your landlord on how to submit such a request. If you’re lucky, a simple email is enough. Worst case is a registered letter.
One important point: once you have stared the official request, there are deadlines to follow up and/or complain. The law entitles you to a reduction. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if you want to shake the (non-existing?) harmony with your landlord by requesting a decrease.

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126

That factor IMO only matters if it’s a private landlord with a direct personal relationship.
In any other case this procedure is as normal as it gets and won’t shift any (non-existent) ‘harmony’.

4 Likes
127

It’s actually a recommended case, for “formality”; not worst.

128

My landlord confirms the receipt of my email and sends me the new rent based on my email. I gain nothing by sending a registered letter.

5 Likes