Notice periods in tenancies

In short: Tenants can terminate a flat with three months’ notice to the end of a month. For landlords the period lengthens with the duration of the tenancy.

In more detail: The notice must reach the recipient by the third working day of a month at the latest to apply to the end of the month after next.

In detail

• Tenants: Always three months, regardless of tenancy length.
• Landlords: Three months up to five years, six months up to eight years, then nine months. A termination needs a legal ground.
• Written form: Termination must be signed and in writing. Email is not enough.
• Proving receipt: Registered letter with delivery or a messenger with witnesses.
• Fixed-term contracts and graduated rent: Special rules may apply; check the contract (eigenbedarfskuendigung, wohnungsuebergabe-und-protokoll).