Eviction Notice Template for Germany

Generate a bespoke document

What is an Eviction Notice?

An Eviction Notice (Kündigungsschreiben) is a formal letter that landlords must send to tenants when they want them to leave the rental property. Under German tenancy law, landlords need legitimate reasons to evict, such as significant rent arrears or property misuse, and must follow strict notice periods defined in the German Civil Code (BGB).

The notice must clearly state the eviction grounds and deadline, typically requiring 3-9 months' notice depending on how long the tenant has lived there. German law strongly protects tenants, so landlords need proper documentation and often legal counsel to ensure their eviction notice meets all requirements and stands up in court if challenged.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you use an Eviction Notice?

Use an Eviction Notice when your tenant seriously violates the lease agreement or you have legitimate grounds for termination under German law. Common situations include repeated late rent payments (more than two months behind), property damage beyond normal wear and tear, or unauthorized subletting.

Timing matters - send the Eviction Notice immediately after documenting lease violations, as German courts look closely at landlords' response times. The notice becomes essential when informal requests to remedy the situation have failed, or when you need to reclaim the property for personal use (Eigenbedarf). Remember that different notice periods apply based on the tenant's length of residence.

What are the different types of Eviction Notice?

Who should typically use an Eviction Notice?

  • Property Owners/Landlords: Issue Eviction Notices when tenants breach lease terms or when reclaiming property for personal use (Eigenbedarf)
  • Property Management Companies: Draft and serve notices on behalf of landlords, handling documentation and legal compliance
  • Legal Counsel: Review notices to ensure compliance with German tenancy laws and represent parties in disputes
  • Tenants: Receive notices and must respond within legal timeframes, with rights to contest unfair evictions
  • Housing Authorities: May become involved in social housing cases or tenant protection matters
  • Court Officials: Review eviction cases and enforce valid notices when legal action becomes necessary

How do you write an Eviction Notice?

  • Lease Documentation: Gather the original rental agreement, any amendments, and proof of lease violations
  • Tenant Details: Compile full tenant names, rental period length, and current contact information
  • Violation Evidence: Document all lease breaches with dates, photos, and communication records
  • Legal Grounds: Identify specific reasons for eviction under German law (e.g., rent arrears, property damage)
  • Notice Period: Calculate the correct notice period based on tenancy duration
  • Delivery Method: Plan for proper service through registered mail (Einschreiben) or official process server
  • Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally-compliant notice that includes all required elements

What should be included in an Eviction Notice?

  • Landlord Information: Full legal name, address, and contact details of property owner or authorized representative
  • Tenant Details: Complete names of all registered tenants and current rental address
  • Legal Grounds: Specific reason for eviction under BGB (German Civil Code), clearly stated with relevant section numbers
  • Notice Period: Explicit termination date that complies with statutory notice periods
  • Property Details: Clear identification of rental unit and any associated storage or parking spaces
  • Move-out Requirements: Specific conditions for property surrender and key return
  • Legal Rights Statement: Mandatory information about tenant's right to object
  • Signature Block: Date and landlord's legally binding signature

What's the difference between an Eviction Notice and a Lease Termination Notice?

An Eviction Notice differs significantly from a Lease Termination Notice in several key aspects under German law. While both documents deal with ending tenancy arrangements, they serve distinct legal purposes and follow different requirements.

  • Legal Basis: Eviction Notices specifically address lease violations or Eigenbedarf cases, requiring documented proof of breach or personal need. Lease Termination Notices handle routine or mutual agreement endings without allegations of wrongdoing
  • Notice Periods: Eviction Notices often have shorter mandatory notice periods when serious violations occur. Lease Terminations follow standard notice periods based on tenancy length
  • Legal Consequences: Eviction Notices can lead to forced removal through court orders. Lease Terminations typically result in voluntary departure with agreed terms
  • Documentation Requirements: Eviction Notices must include detailed evidence of violations. Lease Terminations need only basic contract information and end dates

Reviewed by

Swetha Meenal

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

Swetha Meenal profile photo

A lawyer, legal researcher and legal tech founder, Swetha has built AI products deployed inside Tier 1 firms and enterprises. She ensures GenieAI's alignment with the latest regulation and executes testing on the legal robustness of Genie output.

Reviewed by

Imad Mohammed Nazar

Legal Engineer, GenieAI

Imad Mohammed Nazar profile photo

A Skadden-trained M&A lawyer, Imad advised on cross-border transactions and contractual risk before moving into legal AI. He reviews GenieAI's output for compliance and enforceability across our 150+ supported jurisdictions, as well as facilitating external benchmarking.

Jurisdiction

Germany

Publisher

GenieAI

Category

Notices

Cost

Free to use

Last updated

About the Eviction Notice

  • Lease Documentation: Gather the original rental agreement, any amendments, and proof of lease violations
  • Tenant Details: Compile full tenant names, rental period length, and current contact information
  • Violation Evidence: Document all lease breaches with dates, photos, and communication records
  • Legal Grounds: Identify specific reasons for eviction under German law (e.g., rent arrears, property damage)
  • Notice Period: Calculate the correct notice period based on tenancy duration
  • Delivery Method: Plan for proper service through registered mail (Einschreiben) or official process server
  • Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally-compliant notice that includes all required elements

Genie's Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here's how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your data is private:

We do not train on your data; Genie's AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it