European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 9, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Fatis i a a no vacuuming on sunday Book gives tips on renting in Germany a by Mary Neth consumer editor enting a House or an apartment overseas in t always easy. In France the Hawk eyed Grouchy concierge or building custodian has gained world infamy As a busybody. In Southern Italy renters often have to come up with Protection Money. They pay to have someone watch their apartments end protect them trom break ins. Whan it comes to everyday rules and regulations though it s West Germany that probably wins lop prize for detail. The Standard rental contracts put out by the German House and property owners association read like an Una Riendy Mother in Law s advice to ayoung Bride. Few probable situations Are left to the imagination. The contracts spell out everything from How olten windows must be washed the stairs cleaned and the walkways swept 10 what is and in to considered acceptable tenant behaviour. Some examples tenants must not shake blankets or rugs out the windows. Water is to be used sparingly. Basement and attic doors Are to be Kepi closed. The entry door to the House or apartment is to be locked after 9p.m. Workdays and after 2 . On sundays and holidays. Tenants Are not allowed to Grill on balconies or to teed pigeons on the property. They should not disturb their neighbors by slamming doors or playing loud music. During Germany s general quell hours from 1 . To 3 . And 10 . To 7 . No playing of musical instruments is desirable and volume should be turned Down on speakers. Pets Are allowed Only Wilh the landlord s written permission. Not Only Are landlords demanding neighbors keep an Eye and an ear out. Loo. Foreigners who land themselves continually called on the Carpel need t feel singled out. The germans Are just As Pussy Wilh one another do. A German consumer Magazine Points out that in just one summer evening the Oosse Dorl police were called to a Middac Matass neighbourhood 100 times to Settle arguments Between neighbors. The Magazine quotes Walter Carlein president of the German Circle for fighting noise As staling that aggression and hate have moved in under German  sometimes disputes become violent. Though today s world is More complicated than that of Trie old West do notes that the Way neighbors handle disagreements has t changed that much. The Magazine s examples in Munich a 32-year-old Man used a Kitchen knife to slab a neighbor who refused to turn Down his to. In Hamburg an elderly pensioner saw red when a Young neighbor kept forgetting to Loch the outer door of the building. One evening he Lay in Wail Wilh a gun and Whan the Young Man again left the door ajar shot him to death. These Are extreme cases of course. Not All German landlords Are ogres and Many German Nell hoofs Are helpful and very tolerant. The tendency to go by the rules however has made e Book put of by the German tenants association Das Neue Nietert Eikon the new tenants encyclopedia at 19.80 Marks 10.70an annual big seller. Its 369 pages Are packed Wilh facts on what is and in t allowed in the Home and neighbourhood plus information from a to z on renters rights. Under the topic or guess the Book slates that for Many single renters the subject of male and female visitors becomes an Issue that often winds up in court. The single renter however has come out the Winner in these court cases. According to he renters guide judges have ruled thai a landlord cannot forbid his tenants to have guests of the opposite sex or demand thai Hose guests leave by 10 . Parents also Are assured that their children can play inside and that their laughter and crying Are not Legal grounds Lor neighbor s complaints. Parents Are urged however to see that neighbors Are not unreasonably disturbed particularly during Germany s general Zulal hours. The Book gov of a list of activities that Are allowed or restricted during these quiet time periods. Electric Lawn mowers can be used Between 1 . And 3 . But they must not Emit More than 96 decibels of noise and cannot be used on sundays or holidays or Between the hours of 10 . And 7 am running vacuum cleaners a not allowed running electric Driss a not allowed it is of to take a Bath after 1q . Rental contracts put out by the German House and properly owner s association have warned ranters that Lale evening bathing is forbidden. Thai contractual ruling just does t hold water retorts the Book for tenants. The courts it reports have decreed that renters can slip into their bathtubs whenever they Ike. The Book also notes that the resulting sound of water Rushing through pipes cannot be used by other tenants As a reason to demand rent reduction. The most important information h the Book Lor most renters however is the advice on what is expected in moving in and out of an apartment renovation out Gelicka How Healing bite should be figured and who pays what when it comes to hooking up Cable to. The Book is not available in English but Oca offices of the German tenants association have English speaking personnel who provide free advice to members on tenant landlord problems. Tha association which has local branches in most cities and generally works closely with military housing offices also takes care of correspondence to landlords government officials and courts and handles Legal disputes. Membership in he association costs 4,50 Marks $2.43 a month plus a. One time enrolment or fee of 10 Marks 15.40. Page 16 the stars and stripes Friday september 9,1986 in