Shared flat plans a big holiday with the rent they saved
Tom (24) and two friends were looking for a flat suitable for a flatshare in Berlin's City West. They found one in Berlin-Charlottenburg: prime city location, over 100 square metres, 4 rooms over two floors – and a pretty hefty rent. But they weren't really aware of that at the start. On the contrary, the three young men were glad to have found such a suitable flat and assumed the price was normal for Berlin. Then someone pointed them to CONNY and they simply had their rent checked. The result: the flatshare was paying almost €250 too much rent.
What problem did you hire CONNY for?
We asked CONNY to check whether we could lower our rent.
What is your living situation like?
I live with two other people in a three-person flatshare. Our flat is 110 square metres in total, we have four rooms and pay a net cold rent of €1,500 and a warm rent (including service charges) of €1,700.
Are you planning to live here long-term?
We were really glad to get the flat in such a good location and would like to keep living here together for as long as possible.
Did you already know when you moved in that the rent was too high?
When we moved in, we thought the rent was actually normal by Berlin standards, and we just accepted it at first.
How did you hear about CONNY?
We heard about CONNY through a recommendation. My flatmate's brother tipped us off to get in touch with CONNY to see whether we could lower our rent.
How did you get in touch with CONNY?
We contacted CONNY both by phone and by email. We described our situation and passed on the relevant information to CONNY.
What convinced you to hire CONNY?
We hired CONNY because we don't bear any cost risk up front and really knew nothing at all about tenancy law. CONNY definitely has the expertise and was able to check whether we could lower our rent and, if so, by how much.
Did you also look into other options? A lawyer or a tenants' association, for example?
We also asked acquaintances who work for property management companies for their opinions. But nobody there really wanted to give us any information. So we decided to go with CONNY.
Did you have any concerns before or during the process? What put your mind at ease?
Yes, we actually had a few worries beforehand, because we didn't have a particularly good relationship with our landlord. We were worried that this process might get us into trouble. But after a longer phone call with CONNY and subsequent correspondence by email, the experts assured us that we had nothing to worry about.
How did the process go for you?
The process went very, very well for us. It took us a year in total to complete the matter, but in the end it worked out and we can lower our rent.
Why do you think it took so long?
In my view, the process took so long because the landlord took a very long time to respond and review the matter.
Has your relationship with your landlord changed?
The relationship hasn't really changed. There's still little contact. But we think the landlord treats us with more respect as a result.
How much rent can you save now? How does that feel?
We can save almost €250 in rent every month. For us, especially at the moment, that's a great feeling.
Is the rent reduction in line with what you expected? Did you expect more or less?
Since we live in a very good location and a large flat, we wouldn't have thought we could save so much rent. That's why we're completely satisfied.
How large was your repayment claim for overpaid rent and deposit?
The repayment claim we're entitled to actually comes to a full €2,400, because the process took so long.
Do you already have plans for what you'll do with the saved rent & the repayment?
Yes, we have several plans. We hope, of course, that travelling will be possible again soon. We want to turn the whole thing into a flatshare holiday. Given how much money it is, we're planning several small trips or maybe even a big road trip.
Were you also affected by the Berlin rent cap (Mietendeckel)? Do you know the difference between the rent cap and rent control (Mietpreisbremse)?
Yes, we looked into the difference between the rent cap and rent control. CONNY explained it to us very well, and we were in fact also affected by the rent cap.
Did you set aside the difference so you could cover a possible back payment?
We expected the rent cap to be overturned and set aside the corresponding payments. That way we can pay it back to the landlord if it comes to that.
The rent cap has since been declared void. Is your landlord insisting on a back payment?
We haven't heard anything from the landlord yet. So there's been no demand for payment so far, and we're simply waiting until we hear something before we make the back payment.
You also had some defects in the flat to complain about. What were they? Have they been fixed in the meantime?
We had several defects in the flat. For one, our doorbell was broken for a long time. We also had no light in the kitchen or in the upstairs bathroom. The defects have since been fixed. Partly thanks to CONNY, too, because they explicitly pointed out that it's not acceptable for us to have to shower almost in the dark in the cold season, for example.
Do you think the success fee is fair?
I think CONNY's success fee is absolutely fair, because we ended up with a very, very big saving and CONNY is entitled to a share of it.
Would you hire CONNY again?
I would hire CONNY again any time to enforce my rights as a tenant and to see whether I can lower my rent.
What could CONNY improve, in your view?
In my view, CONNY could improve its visibility across the whole of Germany. That would give even more people the chance to lower their rent. On the other hand, it's important that CONNY makes clear that there really is no cost risk, that you can hire CONNY free of charge and only hand over a portion of the payment to CONNY if the case is successful.
What's your conclusion? What would you advise others in a similar situation?
My conclusion is absolutely positive. We're paying less rent and receiving a large repayment that we can turn into a holiday. So I would advise my friends and acquaintances to hire CONNY and find out whether they can lower their rent.
Thank you for the interview. We're keeping our fingers crossed that you can go on your planned holiday soon!