Careful tenant search
Good letting begins with an accurate property description and an appropriate rent. We prepare the listing, answer enquiries, conduct viewings and obtain the usual documents from prospective tenants, such as proof of income and a certificate confirming no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung). The decision on the tenant is yours.
'Client pays' principle for residential space
The 'client pays' principle (Bestellerprinzip) applies to the brokerage of rental flats (§ 2 Abs. 1a WoVermittG – Wohnungsvermittlungsgesetz, German Housing Brokerage Act). Under this principle, the broker may not demand a commission from the person seeking accommodation unless the broker obtained the flat from the landlord exclusively on the basis of a search mandate from that person. In practice, therefore, as a rule the party who engaged the broker pays – usually the landlord.
The 'client pays' principle does not apply to commercial premises. There, the commission is freely agreed between the parties involved.
Handover and documentation
On move-in and move-out we record the condition of the flat in a handover report, with meter readings, the number of keys and photos. A careful report is the best basis should damage or the repayment of the deposit be discussed later. For the service charge statement, the meter readings on the reference date also provide the basis for an allocation accurate to the day.
VEASY – service charge statement accurate to the day and supported by receipts
For many private landlords, the operating cost statement is the most laborious obligation of the year. VEASY (Vermieter-Abrechnung easy – landlord billing made easy) is our solution for this: costs are allocated to the rental periods to the exact day, for instance where tenants change during the year, and every item is backed by the corresponding receipt.
Via the tenant portal, tenants can view their statement and the underlying receipts. This creates transparency and spares many queries the detour via telephone and post.
Keeping deadlines in view
The operating cost statement must be communicated to the tenant no later than the end of the twelfth month after the end of the billing period (§ 556 Abs. 3 BGB – Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, German Civil Code). After this deadline, the landlord can in principle no longer assert additional claims, unless the landlord is not responsible for the delay. An orderly statement supported by receipts helps to meet this deadline reliably.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the brokerage commission for a rental flat?
In principle, the party who engaged the broker. A commission may be demanded from the tenant only if the broker obtained the flat from the landlord exclusively on the tenant's behalf.
What does billing accurate to the day mean?
Costs are allocated according to the actual number of rental days. If a tenant moves out in the middle of the year, each tenant bears exactly the share attributable to their rental period.
Can tenants inspect the receipts?
Yes. Tenants have a right to inspect the receipts. With the VEASY tenant portal, this inspection is possible digitally.
Do you review tenancy agreements from a legal perspective?
No. We prepare the letting organisationally. The legal review of a tenancy agreement is carried out by a lawyer.