Fortune favours the brave: how Petra from Berlin-Steglitz successfully fought off her rent increase
Petra had already received a rent increase in 2017 and agreed to it. She was sure she stood no chance against her landlord. Shortly afterwards, her rent was to go up again, by €10 a month. This time Petra decided to fight back – and won. With CONNY's help she fended off the second rent increase, and now wonders why she didn't turn to CONNY the first time round.
What was your problem, and how did you hear about CONNY?
I moved into the flat in 2015, and in 2017 the rent went up by €40. At the time I had no idea there was any room to negotiate, so I agreed to the increase. How stupid of me. A year later the rent was to go up again, by another €10, and a friend told me about CONNY and her good experience with them.
What concerns did you have before you instructed CONNY? Were you afraid of confronting your landlord, for example? What became of those fears?
I admit I was a bit unsure – the "typical German scaredy-cat". But giving in without a fight felt worse. So I turned to CONNY. And sure enough: fortune favours the brave. CONNY successfully fought off the rent increase.
What was the process like for you, and how much rent did you save?
The process couldn't have been simpler. I described my case by email, uploaded the landlord's rent increase letter, and that was it. Possibly the tenancy agreement too… I can't remember exactly. In any case, it took hardly any effort on my part. In the end I saved €120 in rent a year. I was annoyed that I hadn't known you could push back when the first rent increase came.
What is your verdict on your experience with CONNY? What would you say to others in a similar situation?
I would recommend CONNY without hesitation – and I have already recommended the tenant portal to others. I would go back to CONNY myself if another rent increase came along that I couldn't see the sense in.