Mietpreisbremse in Frankfurt: What tenants need to know.

Does the Mietpreisbremse apply in Frankfurt?

Yes. The Mietpreisbremse applies across the entire city of Frankfurt am Main.

The legal basis is a federal law in force since 2015, which each federal state must implement by its own ordinance for areas with a tight housing market. In Hesse, this is done by the Tenant Protection Ordinance (Mieterschutzverordnung). It has applied since 26 November 2020 in 49 cities and municipalities, including Frankfurt, and was extended in November 2025 by one year until 25 November 2026.

As the federal government has extended the legal basis until 31 December 2029, the state is already preparing a follow-up regulation: according to a draft from September 2026, the Mietpreisbremse is to apply in 71 instead of 49 municipalities in future – Frankfurt remains included.

How the Mietpreisbremse came to Frankfurt

In Hesse, the Mietpreisbremse had to clear several hurdles – the case even went all the way to the Federal Court of Justice. An overview of the key milestones:

• 27 November 2015Hesse introduces the Mietpreisbremse in 16 cities and municipalities. Because of its particularly tight housing market, Frankfurt is among them.
• 27 March 2018The Frankfurt Regional Court rules the Mietpreisbremse in Hesse invalid because the ordinance’s justification was not published (a formal error under Section 556d BGB).
• 28 June 2019A new, properly justified ordinance comes into force. Since then, Frankfurt tenants have had legal certainty again – the Mietpreisbremse applies to new tenancy agreements from this date.
• 17 July 2019The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) confirms that the 2015 Hessian ordinance was invalid and that a missing justification cannot be remedied retroactively. The ruling has shaped case law across Germany ever since.
• 1 April 2020The federal government tightens the law: since then, overpaid rent can be reclaimed retroactively for up to 30 months.
• 26 November 2020The new Tenant Protection Ordinance combines the Mietpreisbremse, a lower cap on rent increases and an extended notice protection period in 49 Hessian municipalities – Frankfurt remains covered.
• 17 July 2025The federal government extends the legal basis of the Mietpreisbremse (Section 556d of the German Civil Code, BGB) until 31 December 2029.
• November 2025Hesse extends the Tenant Protection Ordinance by one year until 25 November 2026.
• June 2026The Frankfurt Local Court rules this extension invalid in one judgment. This is an individual first-instance decision – a ruling by a higher court is still pending.
• September 2026The state presents a draft of a new Tenant Protection Ordinance: it is to apply in 71 instead of 49 municipalities. Frankfurt remains covered.

How long does the Mietpreisbremse apply in Frankfurt?

How well does the Mietpreisbremse work in Frankfurt?

After the formal error of 2015, the Mietpreisbremse in Hesse has generally stood on solid ground since 2019. For tenants in Frankfurt, this means: if you pay more than 10 percent above the local comparative rent, you can lower your rent and reclaim overpaid amounts.

Even so, some landlords try to get around the Mietpreisbremse with tricks. At the same time, many Frankfurt tenants are not even aware of their rights. That makes it all the more important to take action – there are many good reasons to invoke the Mietpreisbremse. The more households enforce their rights, the more slowly Frankfurt’s rent index (Mietspiegel) rises – and with it the basis for calculating the local comparative rent.

When does the Mietpreisbremse not apply?

There are nationwide exceptions in which the Mietpreisbremse cannot be invoked. They also apply to tenancies in Frankfurt:

Beyond these nationwide rules, Hesse has not set any further exceptions. Even if one of the exceptions applies to you, we recommend a check. Frankfurt also has a lower cap on rent increases: landlords may raise the rent by no more than 15 percent within three years. In many cases, you are therefore still entitled to a reduction because of unlawful rent increases.

How do I invoke the Mietpreisbremse in Frankfurt?

The easiest way to enforce the Mietpreisbremse is with CONNY – no paperwork and no cost risk. Here’s how it works:

1. Check your rent

   Check on our website in just a few minutes – free and without obligation – whether your rent in Frankfurt is too high.

2. Get your result

   You will find out immediately whether, and by how much, you can reduce your rent.

3. Instruct CONNY

   If a rent reduction is possible, you instruct us to enforce it. We pay a partner lawyer and handle all communication with your landlord.

4. Lower your rent & get money back

   We enforce your claim. You only pay if we are successful.

Enforce your rights with CONNY

CONNY is the leading consumer rights platform and stands up for tenants’ rights. We always act in a friendly and professional manner and aim for an amicable agreement with your landlord. If that fails, we take your case to court – and cover all lawyer and court fees.

Thousands of tenants have already enforced the Mietpreisbremse with CONNY. On average, you can expect to save 200 euros per month.

*We cover all lawyer and court fees. You only pay if we are successful.