{"id":4348,"date":"2014-07-18T13:20:25","date_gmt":"2014-07-18T13:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/?p=4348"},"modified":"2025-10-28T06:33:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T06:33:03","slug":"mietrecht-bei-einer-eigenbedarfskuendigung-muss-nur-die-eigenbedarfsperson-selbst-namentlich-benannt-werden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/en\/tenancy-law-in-the-case-of-a-termination-due-to-personal-need-only-the-person-requiring-the-property-for-personal-use-needs-to-be-named-specifically\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenancy law: In the case of a termination due to personal need, only the person requiring the property for personal use needs to be named specifically."},"content":{"rendered":"

Federal Court of Justice, April 30, 2014, Case No.: VIII ZR 284\/13<\/b><\/p>\n

One of the most common reasons for a landlord to terminate a rental agreement is personal need (Eigenbedarf). Since tenants can also invoke the constitutional guarantee of property ownership, just like the owner, the law places strict requirements on termination due to personal need, as outlined in Section 573, Paragraph 2, No. 2 of the German Civil Code (BGB).<\/p>\n

Personal need generally exists when the landlord requires the rental apartment for themselves or for a member of their household, such as a caregiver, or for a family member for residential purposes.<\/p>\n

Family members for whom a landlord can terminate a lease on the grounds of personal need include, for example, the landlord\u2019s parents or children, grandchildren, or siblings. There is no specific degree of kinship required.<\/p>\n

The validity of a termination based on personal need depends on whether the claimed personal need can be proven. The termination letter must include a justification explaining for whom the apartment is needed. Additionally, a specific situation must be described that supports the interest of this person in the apartment.<\/p>\n

In the above-mentioned ruling by the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), the court once again had to decide on the requirements for justifying a termination due to personal need.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/span>Facts and Background of the Case<\/span><\/h3>\n

The plaintiffs and landlords terminated the rental agreement with the defendants, who had lived in a 158-square-meter apartment since 1999, in 2012. The reason for the termination was that the plaintiffs\u2018 daughter, who had been living in an 80-square-meter apartment, needed the larger apartment to set up a household with her partner. Before the termination, the plaintiffs unsuccessfully negotiated with the defendants regarding a potential sale of the apartment. The defendants contested the termination, and the dispute escalated.<\/p>\n

The district court initially ruled in favor of the eviction claim, but the regional court overturned this decision and dismissed the claim. It argued that the termination was formally invalid because the daughter\u2019s partner was not mentioned by name in the termination letter. The plaintiffs then appealed to the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) to reinstate the district court\u2019s ruling.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Decision of the Federal Court of Justice<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Federal Court of Justice sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that the appeal was successful. The BGH argued that the regional court had wrongly dismissed the eviction claim because the termination was formally valid. The regional court had found the termination invalid because the daughter\u2019s partner was not named. However, according to the BGH, this was not necessary.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Requirements for Justifying a Termination Due to Personal Need<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to Section 573, Paragraph 3, Sentence 1 of the BGB, the landlord must state the reasons for a legitimate interest in terminating the lease in the termination letter. The purpose of this provision is to provide the tenant with early clarity about their legal position so that they can protect their interests. The BGH clarified that it is sufficient to specify the personal need in such a way that it is understandable and distinguishable from other reasons.<\/p>\n

In the case of a termination due to personal need, this means that the person for whom the apartment is needed must be clearly identified, and the interest of this person must be explained in a way that is understandable. The BGH found that it was sufficient in this case to identify the plaintiffs\u2018 daughter as the person in need of the apartment and to explain that she wanted to set up a household with her partner in the larger apartment. Further details, such as the partner\u2019s name, were not required.<\/p>\n

<\/span>Consequences of the Decision for Future Terminations Due to Personal Need<\/span><\/h3>\n

With this judgement, the BGH strengthens the position of landlords by specifying the formal requirements for a termination for personal use. The decision makes it clear that the primary requirement for the termination of personal use is that the Reason for cancellation<\/a> is presented clearly and comprehensibly so that the tenant can focus their defence on this reason. However, it is not absolutely necessary to provide further details, such as the name of a partner, as long as the main reason for termination - personal use - is recognisable. Landlords therefore only need to ensure that they sufficiently name the person concerned (in this case, the daughter) and the interest in using the flat.<\/p>\n

The BGH ruling emphasizes that a termination should not be considered invalid for formal reasons if the essential reason for the termination has been adequately stated. This judgment can serve as a guideline in similar cases and provides clarity regarding the requirements for termination notices under tenancy law.<\/p>\n

Source: Federal Court of Justice<\/b><\/p>\n

Important Note: The content of this article has been prepared to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, due to the complexity and constant evolution of the subject matter, we must exclude liability and warranty.<\/b> Important Notice: The content of this article has been created to the best of our knowledge and understanding. However, due to the complexity and constant changes in the subject matter, we must exclude any liability and warranty.<\/p>\n

If you need legal advice, feel free to call us at 0221 \u2013 80187670 or email us at info@mth-partner.de.<\/p>\n

Lawyers in Cologne provide advice and representation in tenancy law.<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A landlord's termination of personal use repeatedly causes tenants great difficulties and is therefore particularly prone to disputes. The law and case law therefore generally impose strict requirements on the landlord's termination of personal use.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":11961,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[2807,2808,2528],"class_list":["post-4348","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mietrecht-rechtsanwalt","tag-eigentumsgarantie-fuer-mieter","tag-rechte-des-mieters","tag-rechtsanwalt-koeln-eigenbedarfskuendigung"],"yoast_head":"\nMietrecht: Bei einer Eigenbedarfsk\u00fcndigung muss nur die Eigenbedarfsperson selbst namentlich benannt werden<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gem\u00e4\u00df \u00a7 573 Abs. 3 Satz 1 BGB setzt die Wirksamkeit einer K\u00fcndigungserkl\u00e4rung voraus, dass die Gr\u00fcnde f\u00fcr ein berechtigtes Interesse genannt werden.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, 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content=\"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/en\/tenancy-law-in-the-case-of-a-termination-due-to-personal-need-only-the-person-requiring-the-property-for-personal-use-needs-to-be-named-specifically\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rechtsanwaltskanzlei\u00a0Tieben\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100054481000178\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2014-07-18T13:20:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-28T06:33:03+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.mth-partner.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/Zivilrecht-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"helmer\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" 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