Rent Index; Request

A rent index provides you with an overview of the rents for comparable apartments in the city or municipality. It offers guidance on

• whether a landlord’s request for a rent increase is justified,
• whether the rent is permissible when the apartment is re-rented if it is located in an area where the provisions of the so-called “rent cap” apply (Appendix to Section 1 of the Tenant Protection Ordinance),
• whether the rent is generally reasonable (outside the scope of the so-called rent cap).

Based on net basic rents that have been newly agreed upon or adjusted over the past six years, the rent index shows the average net basic rent (locally customary comparative rent) in euros per square meter per month. This comparative rent may be higher or lower for each individual apartment. The criteria for this are listed in the rent index.

Decisive factors may include, for example:

• Apartment size
• Age of the building
• Neighborhood
• energy efficiency upgrades, and
• the apartment’s amenities, such as central heating, built-in furniture, and hardwood floors.

The local comparative rent may differ from the current market rent.

Rent indices are compiled by cities/municipalities and by representatives of landlords and tenants, such as tenant associations and homeowners’ and property owners’ associations. A city or municipality is required to compile a rent index when there is a need to do so.

For municipalities with more than 50,000 residents, the requirement to compile rent indices has been in effect since July 1, 2022.

Rent indices should generally be adjusted to market developments every two years.

Rent indices are available in many larger cities and municipalities.

Rent surveys can generally be viewed without any additional requirements.

Check online or with the relevant city or municipality to see if a current rent index is available.

The law and the Rent Index Regulation distinguish between (simple) rent indexes and qualified rent indexes.

A qualified rent index is compiled in accordance with recognized scientific principles and is approved by the municipality or by representatives of landlords and tenants. It must be adjusted to reflect market developments no later than two years after its publication and must be recompiled after four years.

As of July 1, 2022, all standard and qualified rent indices, as well as their supporting documentation, must be published online free of charge. Reasonable fees may be charged for printed copies.

The Erlangen rent index is available free of charge online and as a downloadable PDF file. The printed version can be requested for a nominal fee of 3 euros (plus shipping costs).