- In Berlin, the Rent Control applies to rental agreements signed since 1 June 2015.
- The law applies in all Berlin districts – currently until the end of 2029.
- If the net cold rent exceeds the local comparable rent by more than 10 percent, you can apply the Rent Control.
Paying too much rent in Berlin?
Check in just a few minutes – no cost risk, no obligation.
Check my rent nowDoes the Rent Control apply in Berlin?
Yes – and continuously since 2015.
Unlike in many other German federal states, the Rent Control law ("Mietpreisbremse") has been in force in Berlin without interruption since 1 June 2015. The State of Berlin avoided the usual formal errors when enacting the law and thereby strengthened tenants' rights in a lasting way. Since its introduction, the Rent Control in the capital has withstood all complaints and lawsuits – and was most recently extended until 31 December 2029.
How the law has developed
An overview of the key milestones of Berlin's Rent Control:
- 28 April 2015The Berlin Senate publishes the Rent Limitation Ordinance (MietBegrV Bln), together with its justification.
- 1 June 2015The Rent Control comes into force for new rentals throughout Berlin and is effective immediately.
- 20 August 2019The Federal Constitutional Court dismisses a Berlin landlord's complaint and confirms: the Rent Control is constitutional and does not violate the Basic Law.
- 1 April 2020The federal government tightens the law: for tenancies starting from April 2020, overpaid rent can be reclaimed up to 30 months retroactively.
- 19 May 2020The Berlin Senate re-issues the well-founded ordinance, including the tightening, and extends the Rent Control initially until the end of May 2025.
- March 2025The Senate sets up a free rent-check office (Mietpreisprüfstelle) – an official point of contact for all Berlin tenants who suspect their rent is too high.
- 17 July 2025The federal government extends the legal basis of the Rent Control (§ 556d BGB) until 31 December 2029.
- 1 January 2026Berlin's new Rent Limitation Ordinance comes into force. All of Berlin remains a tight housing market – the Rent Control continues seamlessly until the end of 2029.
From when does the law apply?
Since 1 June 2015 – valid until 31 December 2029
If you signed a Berlin rental agreement on or after 1 June 2015 and pay more than 10 percent above the local comparable rent, you can assert your right and apply the Rent Control.
Is the Rent Control successful in Berlin?
Yes. The Rent Control has already helped many Berlin tenants achieve considerable monthly savings. Just how successful CONNY is at this is shown on our interactive map.
Over 10,000 rents reduced
On the map you can see where CONNY has already reduced rents in Berlin – in more than 10,000 cases.
Despite many successes, rents in Berlin keep rising, and large landlord companies often charge inflated prices per square metre. The more often the Rent Control is applied, the stronger its effect: it helps keep the local comparable rent at an affordable level. There are many good reasons to apply the Rent Control – CONNY helps you enforce your rights easily and conveniently.
Are you paying too much rent in Berlin?
Check in just a few minutes – no upfront costs, no obligation.
Calculate savings potentialWhen does the Rent Control not apply?
In some cases the Rent Control cannot be applied. These exceptions are defined in the nationwide law and also apply to Berlin:
Protected existing rents
If the previous tenants were already paying an excessive rent before rent control took effect (i.e. before 1 June 2015), the rent can only be reduced to that level.
Temporary tenancies
Temporary letting is often used to get around rent control. In most cases, though, the rent can still be reduced. We're happy to check for you whether that applies in your case.
Older tenancies
Leases signed before 1 June 2015 are exempt.
Extensive modernisation
An "extensive modernisation" is often just a pretext to get around rent control. To genuinely qualify, a flat must reach new-build standard – if it doesn't, rent control still applies.
First-time rentals / new builds
Flats rented for the first time after 1 October 2014 are exempt.
Beyond these nationwide exceptions, Berlin has not defined any further cases. The law therefore also applies to furnished flats and to contracts with graduated rents and index-linked rents. Even if one of the exceptions applies to you, we recommend checking your individual case: many landlords try to circumvent the Rent Control but often cannot sufficiently prove the exception – for extensive modernisation, for example, the landlord must provide a precise statement of the refurbishment costs.
And even where an exception applies, the landlord may not raise the rent at will: in Berlin the cap prevents an increase of more than 15 percent within three years. So unlawful rent increases can also entitle you to a rent reduction.
How do I apply the Rent Control in Berlin?
The easiest way to apply the Rent Control is with CONNY – no paperwork, no cost risk. Here's how it works:
- a few minutes
Enter your details
Fill in our questionnaire with the key facts about your flat and your rent – free of charge and without obligation.
- 1 minute
Upload your lease
Upload your rental agreement so our experts can review your case in detail.
- instantly
Get your offer
CONNY calculates your personal savings potential. You see straight away whether – and by how much – you can lower your rent.
- 1 click
Mandate CONNY
If the offer works for you, mandate us with a single click. We contact your landlord, usually settle out of court and, if needed, our partner lawyers go to court – we cover all legal and court costs.
- ongoing
Pay a fair rent
From the agreement or enforcement onwards, you benefit from the lower rent month after month. You only incur costs if we succeed.
Enforce your right with CONNY
CONNY stands up for tenants' rights and has already helped in thousands of cases to apply the Rent Control. We act in a friendly, professional way and first seek an out-of-court settlement with the landlord – if that fails, our partner lawyers go to court for you and cover all legal and court costs.
Thousands of tenants are already enforcing the Rent Control with CONNY. In Berlin, you can expect average savings of around 200 euros per month.
Apply the Rent Control now with CONNY – securely and without cost risk.*
In just a few minutes, see whether your Berlin rent is above the legal limit.
*Full coverage of lawyer and court costs. A commission is only charged if we are successful.