Wondering if the rent requested for your apartment is fair or what rent you can set as a landlord in a legally secure manner? The answer is often just a few clicks away. This guide shows you how to access and correctly apply the rent index for your city online.
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The topic briefly and concisely
Cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants have been legally required since 2023 to create a rent index, which has significantly improved data availability.
A qualified rent index offers greater legal certainty than a simple rent index, as it is presumed by law to be correct.
If there is no rent index available, landlords can alternatively justify a rent increase with three comparable apartments or an expert opinion.
Determining the local comparative rent is a central task for over 21 million tenants and numerous landlords in Germany. It forms the basis for rent increases and is crucial for new rentals in areas with rent control measures. Since the rent index reform in 2022, the requirements for data quality have increased, providing you as an owner or tenant with more security. We guide you through the process, show you the official sources, and explain how to use the data for informed decisions.
What is a rent index and why is it important?
A rent index is an overview of the rents commonly paid in a municipality for residential space of comparable type, size, amenities, condition, and location. Its legal basis can be found in sections 558c and 558d of the German Civil Code (BGB). For landlords, it is the most important tool to justify a rent increase up to the local comparable rent. In areas with rent control, the rent in new contracts may exceed the comparison rent by a maximum of 10%, which makes the rent index indispensable. This document ensures transparency and helps avoid legal disputes between rental parties by providing an objective data basis. Knowing the exact comparison rent is therefore the first step for a professional assessment of the profitability of your rental. However, the legal significance depends greatly on the type of rent index.
Simple vs. Qualified Rent Index: Understanding the Legal Difference
The law distinguishes between two types of rent indexes with significantly different evidential value in court. The simple rent index according to § 558c BGB is an overview created or recognised by the municipality or by interest groups (e.g. tenant and landlord associations). In court, it serves only as an indication and can therefore be more easily contested. In contrast, the qualified rent index according to § 558d BGB is compiled according to recognised scientific principles and must be updated every two years. There is a legal presumption that the values it shows accurately reflect the customary local comparative rent. This presumption effect significantly strengthens your position in a rent increase. The rent index reform has further raised the standards for qualified rent indexes to maximise their reliability. Therefore, before making a decision, you should carefully check which rent index is available for your city.
Step-by-step: How to access the rent index for your city online
Retrieving the current rental index for your city online is generally a straightforward process consisting of a few steps. Often, the service is free, as demonstrated by the city of Munich, which provides its rental index both online and as a brochure. Here is a guide on how to reach your goal in 3 steps:
Check the official website of the town or city: Your first point of contact should always be the website of your local authority. Search there for terms like "rental index," "housing," or "rental prices." Cities with over 50,000 residents have been required to prepare a rental index since 2023.
Use online databases and portals: There are various online portals that collect and make available rental indices from across the country. These often offer a convenient search by postcode, instantly showing you the results.
Download documents or use online calculators: Many cities offer the rental index as a downloadable PDF document. Increasingly, there are also interactive calculators where you can enter your property's data (e.g., year built, size, amenities) and directly obtain a rental price per square meter.
Once you have determined the data, you can make informed decisions on what rent you can charge. But what if there is no rental index available for your community?
The Rent Index Reform 2022: What You Need to Know Now
The Rent Index Reform Act, which came fully into force on 1 July 2022, has significantly changed the rules for creating and using rent indexes. One of the main innovations is the obligation for all cities and municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants to create and publish a rent index. This considerably increases the availability of reliable data throughout Germany. In addition, the Rent Index Ordinance establishes uniform minimum standards for the creation of qualified rent indexes nationwide for the first time. This aims to increase legal certainty and strengthen acceptance in courts. Another key change is the introduction of an obligation to provide information for landlords and tenants who are randomly selected for data collection. This ensures a broader and more valid database. For you as an owner, this means: The specified values are more reliable and provide a more solid basis for your location analysis and rental calculation. The reform thus ensures greater transparency in the housing market.
Can't find a rental index? Here are 3 alternatives
What to do if your community with less than 50,000 residents does not provide a rent index? Section 558a (2) of the BGB explicitly outlines alternatives to justify a rent increase. As a landlord, you have three options:
Identifying three comparable flats: You can refer to at least three comparable properties in the same community where a higher rent is already being paid. It is crucial that these flats are genuinely comparable in terms of location, size, and features, and that you provide the exact addresses and rental prices.
Expert report: You can commission a report from a publicly appointed and sworn expert. This report determines the local comparative rent but is associated with costs of several hundred euros.
Reference to a rent database: Another, albeit seldom used, option is the reference to a rent database maintained by the community or stakeholders.
A data-driven assessment, like the one provided by our ImmoGPT or an Auctoa evaluation, can offer you an initial, quick insight into the market value before you take costly steps. This analysis helps you better assess the potential of your property.
Conclusion: Data-driven for fair and legally compliant rent
Accessing the rent index for your city online is the most efficient way to ensure an informed and legally secure rent calculation. The legal reforms have significantly improved the quality and availability of this crucial data basis with over 2,400 datasets nationwide in Germany. Use the digital offerings from your municipality or specialized portals to gain clarity about the local comparative rent in just a few minutes. This protects you from legal risks and ensures you receive a fair return. An informed decision is always the best strategy.
mietspiegel-fur-meine-stadt-online-abrufen
Additional useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of the concept of the rent index.
The state government of Rhineland-Palatinate provides detailed information about the rent index on their service page.
Finanztip offers an informative article about the rent control, which also covers the rent index.
Techem provides a guide article on the rent index, offering practical insights.
Engel & Völkers provides information on the rent index from the perspective of an established real estate company.
FAQ
Where can I find the official rent index for my city?
The primary and most reliable source is the official website of your city or municipality. Look in the "Building & Living" section or use the search function with the keyword "Mietspiegel." Alternatively, there are online portals that collect Mietspiegel data.
What is the difference between a simple and a qualified rent index?
A simple rent index is an overview that is recognised by the municipality or interest groups. A qualified rent index is created according to strict scientific criteria and updated every two years. It carries stronger evidential weight in court.
How do I correctly read a rent index?
A rent index usually provides a price range for rent in euros per square metre. You categorise your flat in the table based on criteria such as year of construction, size, location, and features (e.g., bathroom, heating). Premiums or discounts for specific characteristics can refine the value.
What role does the rent index play in the rent control?
In areas with an applicable rent control, the rent index serves as the reference. For new rentals, the agreed-upon rent may exceed the local comparable rent according to the rent index by a maximum of 10%.
Do I, as a landlord or tenant, have to provide information for the rent index?
Yes. With the rental price index reform, an obligation to provide information was introduced. If you are selected for a sample to create a qualified rental price index, you are legally required to provide details about your apartment and the tenancy.
How can Auctoa help if there is no local rent index available?
If no rent index is available, a data-driven market analysis becomes all the more important. Our AI-powered assessments and the ImmoGPT chat provide you with a quick and objective evaluation of your property's rental potential based on millions of current market data.
