Can my landlord forbid me from keeping pets?
April 26, 2022 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Emma Richter
Dear lawyer,
My name is Renata Schneider and I am a tenant of an apartment in Munich. Lately, I have been considering getting a pet to keep me company and give my free time a new purpose. However, I am concerned that my landlord may prohibit me from having a pet.
Although there is nothing in my rental agreement about pets, I have heard that landlords have the right to forbid keeping animals in the apartment. I am wondering if my landlord can really prevent me from having a pet, even though it is not explicitly mentioned in the rental agreement. I am worried that there may be conflicts with my landlord if I still decide to get a pet.
Are there any ways for me to keep a pet without violating the terms of my rental agreement? What rights and responsibilities do I have as a tenant regarding pet ownership? Are there any legal regulations that protect my rights as a tenant in this regard? I would appreciate your assessment and possible solutions.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Best regards,
Renata Schneider
Dear Mrs. Schneider,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding keeping pets in your rental apartment in Munich. It is understandable that you are concerned about whether your landlord can prohibit you from keeping a pet, even though it is not explicitly regulated in the rental agreement.
In general, landlords have the right to prohibit the keeping of pets in the apartment. This stems from the principle of property rights. However, there are exceptions and ways in which you can still keep a pet without violating the provisions of the rental agreement.
First, you should check if there is a clause in your rental agreement that regulates pet ownership. If this is not the case, it does not automatically mean that you are allowed to keep a pet. In this situation, the landlord can invoke his property rights and prohibit the keeping of a pet.
There are cases, however, where landlords allow pet ownership. This may be the case, for example, if the pet does not cause any disturbance to other tenants and does not cause damage to the apartment. In such cases, you should have a conversation with your landlord and request permission to keep a pet.
It is important to note that as a tenant, you have certain responsibilities regarding pet ownership. This includes complying with noise and hygiene rules, as well as covering the costs of damages caused by the pet.
Regarding legal regulations on pet ownership, there are no nationwide uniform rules. However, it may be possible that regulations regarding pet ownership are included in the landlord's house rules or local ordinances. Therefore, it is advisable to check these.
If your landlord prohibits pet ownership and you still wish to keep a pet, you could submit a request for permission to the landlord and potentially include an agreement on pet ownership in the rental agreement.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Emma Richter, Attorney specializing in rental law
