Ask a lawyer on the topic of Tenancy law

Drying room

February 23, 2011 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Steffan Schwerin

Living in rental since 2004. Landlord (V.) verbally allowed us to use the existing drying room. This is a vestibule to our rented cellar. The vestibule has an open passage to the staircase, but no windows. Ventilation should be done through the window of our cellar room. This has also worked until today without any risk of mold formation. V. also dried laundry in this vestibule. V. now prohibits us from using the drying room because it is not specified in the rental agreement and due to the risk of mold formation. Question 1: Can V. forbid us from using the existing drying room? Question 2: I have information that according to building regulations in a multi-family house, from two apartments (we have 3 W.) a cellar room and a drying room must be provided. Is that correct? Question 3: We cannot fully use our rented cellar room because the electricity line located there does not run through our meter. For example, we cannot connect a dryer. The bathroom is too small for that. Can we demand that a meter be installed there or that the electricity runs through our meter? Best regards.

Steffan Schwerin

Dear questioner,

I will answer the questions you have asked, taking into consideration the circumstances described and your input, as follows:

Question 1: Can V. forbid us from using the existing drying room?

Since nothing has been agreed upon in writing, you are actually not allowed to use the room. The verbal agreement is invalid, so the landlord can basically prohibit its use. However, if there is no other option for drying, then the use cannot be forbidden.

Question 2: I have been informed that according to building regulations in a multi-family house, from two apartments onwards (we have 3), a cellar room and a drying room must be provided. Is this true?

No, that is not entirely correct. The landlord must provide tenants with certain facilities for storing items and drying clothes, but this does not necessarily have to be through a cellar or drying room.

Question 3: We are unable to fully use the cellar room we rented because the electricity line there does not run through our meter. For example, we cannot connect a dryer as the bathroom is too small for it. Can we demand that a meter be installed there or that the electricity runs through our meter?

Yes, you can demand this, especially for accurate electricity calculations.

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Best regards,

Steffan Schwerin
Lawyer

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