How long is a contract valid and what notice periods apply for termination?
November 11, 2022 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Gertrud Knorr
Dear lawyer,
I have a question regarding contract law and hope that you can help me. Some time ago, I signed a contract with a fitness studio that has a duration of 12 months. Now, I am dissatisfied with the studio's service and would like to know how long the contract is still valid and what notice periods apply.
Background information: When I signed the contract, I was motivated and opted for a yearly membership. Unfortunately, my life situation has changed since then and I am no longer able to visit the fitness studio regularly. Additionally, I have realized that the studio does not meet my expectations and I do not feel comfortable there.
My concerns are that I am still bound by the contract and have to pay monthly fees even though I no longer wish to use the service. I would like to know if it is possible to terminate the contract early and if certain deadlines need to be adhered to.
Could you please inform me how long the contract is still valid and what notice periods I need to adhere to in order to terminate it early? Are there any possible solutions on how I can exit the contract without incurring further costs?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Wanda Kroll
Dear Ms. Kroll,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding contract law in relation to your gym membership contract. I will try to answer you as comprehensively as possible and provide you with all relevant information.
Firstly, it is important to clarify how long your contract is still valid and what the notice periods are. In the case of a contract for a yearly gym membership with a duration of 12 months, it is common for this to automatically renew for another 12 months if not terminated within the notice period. The exact conditions should be detailed in your contract.
Regarding the notice periods, these should also be specified in the contract. Typically, the notice period for gym membership contracts is usually 3 months prior to the end of the contract term. This means that you must terminate the contract at least 3 months before the end of the 12-month contract term to avoid automatic renewal.
If you wish to terminate the contract prematurely before the agreed term, this may be possible under certain circumstances. German contract law provides for various options in such cases, such as an extraordinary termination for important reasons. An important reason could exist, for example, if the gym does not fulfill its contractual obligations or if your circumstances have changed so significantly that continuing the contract would be unreasonable.
It is advisable to carefully review the contract and the termination conditions contained therein. If you are unsure or have further questions, I am at your disposal. However, please note that my response is of a general nature and does not constitute personal legal advice. For individual advice, I recommend consulting a local lawyer.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for further questions.
Sincerely,
Gertrud Knorr
Attorney at Law
