THE LEGAL BASIC EQUIPMENT OF AN APARTMENT

The demands on an apartment can vary widely depending on the person. This is no different from the minimum requirements. Tenants and landlords sometimes have a completely different idea of ​​what an apartment has to offer. In addition, numerous myths are circulating the topic, such as that a cable connection belongs to every rented apartment or that every kitchen must be equipped with a sink and stove. But even if this is, of course, many tenants would like law must be carefully examined here. Even if a certain standard is taken for granted and is assumed under today's conditions, you should take a close look at the premises when viewing the apartment. Please do not assume that a rental property is automatically complemented with minimum equipment before moving in and talking to the landlord here. Different laws depending on the federal state make things even more complicated. We create clarity for you in our guide.

The minimum equipment of an apartment

For a closed part of a building to become an apartment, the room must also be objectively suitable for permanent living. The minimum equipment of luxury apartments in Lahore is as follows:

The Federal Administrative Court determined this in January 1990. This definition partly corresponds to Section 40 of the Housing Act, which was repealed in July 1985. The paragraph was dropped because the Federal Administrative Court saw the minimum equipment required therein as "a matter of course today."

Apartment closure with anteroom in the apartment;

Cooking area with sufficient ventilation options, water tap and sink, a connection option for coal stove and gas or electric stove as well as ventilation pantry or ventilation cupboard;

• Modern sanitary facilities within the apartment;
• Equipped bath or shower and washbasin;
• sufficient storage room also within the apartment;
• Connection possibility for stove or equivalent heater for at least one living room and bedroom apart from the kitchen;
• electrical connection for lighting points in all rooms, in the kitchen, living room and bedroom also at least one socket each;
• sufficient basement or corresponding spare room;
• Shared washing and drying room as well as a storage room for strollers and bicycles.
• Different regulations depending on the federal state

Detailed regulations, some of which correspond to the old Housing Act, are laid down in the respective building laws of the federal states. This means that there is no definition of a minimum equipment requirement for publicly subsidized housing that is applicable throughout. Every federal state has different building laws and different requirements, some of which can be very specific and strict, such as the definition of a minimum size for windows. An example of such a housing law is the Hamburg Housing Protection Act. It describes the minimum equipment of a room used for the apartment and stipulates which connection options must be available to the future tenant.

So a stove is not an integral part of homes in Hamburg. Where the Housing Supervision Act prescribes cooking facilities and a sink. However, that does not mean that every apartment is automatically equipped with a high-quality stove. A camping stove and a cheap hardware store sink are also sufficient.

Therefore, it is advisable to carefully read the respective housing laws of the federal states, especially if you are moving from one federal state to another and are suddenly confronted with completely different conditions. You can find the laws online or in your local council.

Additional requirements for living space

In addition to the minimum requirements set out in the Housing Act, the legislature also stipulates other conditions for the usability of an apartment. Walls, ceilings and floors have to be adequately protected against moisture, heat loss and noise and have to be properly plastered, clad and painted. Heating devices must function properly and maintain a minimum temperature of 20 ° C during the day and 18 ° C at night. Water connections and sinks must be properly usable and kept clean to be protected against pests. In addition, the power supply must be sufficient to ensure the operation of electrical lighting and common household appliances. But be careful: A lower standard can be offered in old buildings than in new buildings. This means that it is not possible to use the stove, refrigerator and washing machine simultaneously in older houses.