European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - October 17, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Consumer watch German renters rebellion can help you today stories by Mary Neth consumer editor o Many americans. Germany seems a country where the landlord is King. Little do they know. Compared to the Early 1960s, renters today arc practically a pampered group. At the end of the War explains Heinrich Lauer. The country was faced with a devastating housing shortage anyone with rental property was Able to make incredible  Manyd to the . Evictions and hikes in rental Cost finally says Auer Germany s renters rebelled and the  German tenants federation was formed in the late 1960s this powerful grass tools organization Pul pressure on the lawmakers in Bonn which paid off in new tenant protective  today this federation of local tenants unions is Stib an Active Force in pressing Lor Lair rental practices Lauer who Heads the Darmstadt miste Verein noles that just this year it was instrumental in getting a Law on the books which pro decl s tenants from having to take Over the landlord s redecoration work unless the apartment was newly Deco rated when they moved in the Urielo Verein s most known function however is in handling individual tenant problems. Anyone no matter what nationality who rents a German House or apartment is eligible to become member. According la Lauer. There Are about 300 local associations in the country Wilh a total membership of around 1 million. Each local Miete Verein is self supporting and sets its own rules of operation. Tanyol them have English speaking lawyers to other assistance. Our Normal membership is for two years at Acost of 54 Marks a year americans however May join of half a year at Acost o 30 Marks says Lauer. For the fee the association offers free Legal advice. Eleven lawyers Volunteer their Lime id our clients at our main office Here and branches in nearby towns says Lauer who estimates that the Verein has dose to 100 american members. Lauer a former banker has been with the association for 26 years. I donated my time to help pop the who were finding themselves in emergency situations he says. In the Earty , i even represented clients in  the new Law on the books May take away some of the hassle of moving out. Previously in a rental contract was signed in which the tenant agreed to redecorate on moving out he was held to it. Now. Unless the apartment or Lime was decorated by the landlord when the tenant took in. He need not. The Law overrides the wording of the contract. Ten Golden rules for renters to follow for people about to rent in Germany  renters association offers 10guidelines that could help save Money and Wosic hassles. T he association Points out that each year 2 million tenants move within the country Lack of proper knowledge of Tho Law adds up to their losing millions of Marks Lor expenses that could have been avoided. By follow my Tho following Golden  renters can save themselves irritation and costly mistakes. Is you Are moving rom one German apartment to another be sure you give the required notice to the present landlord if you do not you could end up paying double rent the notice period in Germany depending on the length of occupancy runs Between two and 12 months. Americans however with the . Military should Check with their housing offices. Under certain circumstances a nato agreement allows them a 30-Day notice of termination finding a person to Lake Over the old apartment does not absolve obligations you have agreed to in your contract. The landlord has to to consulted and in agreement with the change of tenants. Generally a tenant can get out of a rental contract before the agreed upon notice Tima Only in cases o proven hardship. Redecoration is the tenant s problem Only when it is a requirement spelled out in the contract. In the apartment was not renovated when the tenant moved in he is not required to Rede of ale on moving out no matter what the contract he signed states redecoration Means Only the customary re papering and painting. For example the tenant is not required to replace Wall to Wall carpeting unless he is responsible Lor damage or Wear and teat beyond Normal use. To avow shocks in the form of later redecoration or replacement demands upon moving out of an apartment write Down the condition at the time you leave. The document should be signed by both you and the landlord. You should make out a similar Type of document on moving into a new apartment. If there Are an doubts Lake photographs. If the former tenant owes the landlord no More Money he is entitled ohis Deposit including accrued interest within us months of the end of the contract. The landlord cannot keep the total Deposit if Only Utility and other additional charges have not been calculated. The landlord can demand no More than three months Basic rent As a Deposit. The tenant can pay it in three instalments. For Security Ash the landlord tout the Deposit into an account that cannot be withdrawn without both of your signatures. A real estate agent can demand a fee Onty in he really aided the tenant in signing a rental con tract. He cannot present a bail he is the owner manager or Marx sold of the property or if the rental is in social housing before signing a rental contract the tenant should go to his local renters association which can inform him of his rights an responsibilities.  advises renters Whon Wogerman to read its Booklet gel Sparen Beim a Mug saving Money during a move which contains even More tips. American housing offices also publish helpful information on the subject. Americans main problem a americans renting in Germany today have one main problem with landlords Iha causes them to seek expert  often have difficulty in getting their Deposit  says Heinrich Lauer of the Darmstadt meter Verein renters association. All too often knowing that the american family a Fol be leaving the country the landlord tries to keep it he says he won t return the Money uni he has a Chance to deduct the Cost of the remaining Bis of expenses of redecoration  Ivete Verein to convince him that he cant refuse to return a Deposit o say 2,000 Marks because a Healing by that had been averaging  been presented. American tenants and German ton Durda seem to gel along quite Well generally. It is very different now bom the situation Back in the 1950s. Then we were continual hearing complaints my landlords. They said americans did t Tomow the House rules pertaining to quiet periods and Upkeep of the premises. Page 16 the stars and stripes there was continual grumbling that they were noisy and hard on furniture leaving in scarred for example. With cigarette Burns. Lauer says he rarely hears such complaints from German landlords today. He believes that the change probably is due to the efforts of the american military housing offices. The american tenants today seem better informed about German customs and More considerate. Now we have Many other foreigners in Germany workers from Yugoslavia. Turkey Etc. They Are the ones complained about not the  Lauer himself however has a complaint. Too often americans Are no shows. The american housing office Calls in and makes an appointment for a family with problems. When the time for the appointment comes the americans Don t appear. Thea. Seves a lawyer who has volunteered his time silting with nothing to do. And it prevents someone who needs help from not having the Opportunity of a More immediate  Friday october 17.19b6