What Stiftung Warentest, Finanztip and the press say about CONNY

Many consumer test portals and advice sites explain the rent brake (Mietpreisbremse) and how to use it. Most of them point to CONNY as the way to enforce it without cost risk. Here you can read why these portals recommend CONNY and what other media report about us.

What are cosmetic repairs (Schönheitsreparaturen)?

Only the preparatory work needed for the listed jobs also counts as cosmetic repairs. If you have to paint a wall, filling existing drill holes is part of it. Only then does the work count as properly done, even though filling drill holes is not spelled out in the law. Other maintenance work, such as painting the outside of windows, sanding parquet floors or laying tiles, is not a cosmetic repair. Repairing door locks, light switches or pipes and wiring does not count either, nor does removing wear and tear you did not cause. Such repairs are the landlord's job. Damage that appears during the tenancy may be a defect (Mietmangel) that entitles you to a rent reduction (Mietminderung).

Contents

How will my landlord react?

Rent brake: what does the law say?

How has the rent brake been tightened?

Where and for whom does the rent brake apply?

What are the exceptions? Which flats are exempt from the rent brake?

What are cosmetic repairs?

Only the preparatory work needed for the listed jobs also counts as cosmetic repairs. If you have to paint a wall, filling existing drill holes is part of it. Only then does the work count as properly done, even though filling drill holes is not spelled out in the law. Other maintenance work, such as painting the outside of windows, sanding parquet floors or laying tiles, is not a cosmetic repair. Repairing door locks, light switches or pipes and wiring does not count either, nor does removing wear and tear you did not cause. Such repairs are the landlord's job. Damage that appears during the tenancy may be a defect that entitles you to a rent reduction.

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Rent brake: how to fight back against excessive rent

Last updated on 01 September 2020

In this article, Stiftung Warentest explains the rent brake and how it works. It gives a step-by-step guide to enforcing the rent brake yourself, including an overview of the costs involved. It also recommends CONNY as a legal service provider:

"The rent brake works – and since April 2020 it works even better. Tenants no longer have to write to the landlord straight away to be able to claim back overpaid rent. (...) Legal service providers such as Conny.legal help apply the brake. Our special shows how. "

Rent brake: how much a landlord may charge on a new letting

Last updated on 13 August 2020

The consumer portal Finanztip tested CONNY (formerly wenigermiete.de) in detail and came to this conclusion:

"Finanztip took a closer look at the portal: we examined the general terms and conditions (AGB) and had the exact procedure explained to us in writing. We consider the price fair, the cost structure is transparent and the terms are consumer-friendly."

CONNY: enforcing the rent brake through debt collection (Inkasso)

Last updated on 03 September 2020

Wenigermiete.de is now CONNY. Stiftung Warentest took our name change as the occasion to test our services again. Read the result here:

"Sounds good: the online portal Conny offers to apply the rent brake with the landlord on its customers' behalf – with no cost risk. Customers only pay if it works. "

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent (ortsübliche Vergleichsmiete)

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent (Staffelmiete) and index-linked rent (Indexmiete), the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

What are cosmetic repairs?

Only the preparatory work needed for the listed jobs also counts as cosmetic repairs. If you have to paint a wall, filling existing drill holes is part of it. Only then does the work count as properly done, even though filling drill holes is not spelled out in the law. Other maintenance work, such as painting the outside of windows, sanding parquet floors or laying tiles, is not a cosmetic repair. Repairing door locks, light switches or pipes and wiring does not count either, nor does removing wear and tear you did not cause. Such repairs are the landlord's job. Damage that appears during the tenancy may be a defect that entitles you to a rent reduction.

Frequently asked questions

Our mission: protecting consumer rights. Our team of experienced IT and legal experts enforces your rights as a tenant, employee or consumer quickly and without fuss. The principle: you carry no cost risk, because you only pay if we succeed for you.

Most landlords know full well that they are the ones breaking the law, not the tenant. Because Conny's letters are legally and factually sound, landlords usually respond just as matter-of-factly. In many cases the case handlers at the property management or real-estate company deal with the procedure. Some landlords bring in lawyers. That is good, because it usually makes the procedure more professional. Termination of the tenancy after a rent reduction is ruled out.

The rent brake (§556d BGB) sets the maximum rent a landlord may charge in "tight housing markets". The law came into force nationally on 01 June 2015. The federal states decide individually whether it applies in their state and in which municipalities (see: Where does the rent brake apply). In towns and municipalities where the rent brake has been introduced, the rent may be at most ten per cent above the rent index (Mietspiegel) or the local comparative rent. If you pay more, you can demand a rent reduction, even during an existing tenancy. Conny helps you do it – without stress or cost risk.

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent and index-linked rent, the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent and index-linked rent, the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

What are cosmetic repairs?

Only the preparatory work needed for the listed jobs also counts as cosmetic repairs. If you have to paint a wall, filling existing drill holes is part of it. Only then does the work count as properly done, even though filling drill holes is not spelled out in the law. Other maintenance work, such as painting the outside of windows, sanding parquet floors or laying tiles, is not a cosmetic repair. Repairing door locks, light switches or pipes and wiring does not count either, nor does removing wear and tear you did not cause. Such repairs are the landlord's job. Damage that appears during the tenancy may be a defect that entitles you to a rent reduction.

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent and index-linked rent, the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent and index-linked rent, the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

What are cosmetic repairs?

Only the preparatory work needed for the listed jobs also counts as cosmetic repairs. If you have to paint a wall, filling existing drill holes is part of it. Only then does the work count as properly done, even though filling drill holes is not spelled out in the law. Other maintenance work, such as painting the outside of windows, sanding parquet floors or laying tiles, is not a cosmetic repair. Repairing door locks, light switches or pipes and wiring does not count either, nor does removing wear and tear you did not cause. Such repairs are the landlord's job. Damage that appears during the tenancy may be a defect that entitles you to a rent reduction.

Frequently asked questions

Our mission: protecting consumer rights. Our team of experienced IT and legal experts enforces your rights as a tenant, employee or consumer quickly and without fuss. The principle: you carry no cost risk, because you only pay if we succeed for you.

Most landlords know full well that they are the ones breaking the law, not the tenant. Because Conny's letters are legally and factually sound, landlords usually respond just as matter-of-factly. In many cases the case handlers at the property management or real-estate company deal with the procedure. Some landlords bring in lawyers. That is good, because it usually makes the procedure more professional. Termination of the tenancy after a rent reduction is ruled out.

The rent brake (§556d BGB) sets the maximum rent a landlord may charge in "tight housing markets". The law came into force nationally on 01 June 2015. The federal states decide individually whether it applies in their state and in which municipalities (see: Where does the rent brake apply). In towns and municipalities where the rent brake has been introduced, the rent may be at most ten per cent above the rent index or the local comparative rent. If you pay more, you can demand a rent reduction, even during an existing tenancy. Conny helps you do it – without stress or cost risk.

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent and index-linked rent, the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

Rent increase up to the local comparative rent

So that tenants do not face constant, unexpected and unlimited rent rises, a landlord may only raise the rent in an existing tenancy within the rules set by law. Apart from increases agreed in the contract, such as stepped rent and index-linked rent, the landlord can only justify a rise in an existing tenancy by raising the rent to the local comparative rent, § 558 BGB. A rent increase after modernisation is also possible.

Frequently asked questions

Our mission: protecting consumer rights. Our team of experienced IT and legal experts enforces your rights as a tenant, employee or consumer quickly and without fuss. The principle: you carry no cost risk, because you only pay if we succeed for you.

Most landlords know full well that they are the ones breaking the law, not the tenant. Because Conny's letters are legally and factually sound, landlords usually respond just as matter-of-factly. In many cases the case handlers at the property management or real-estate company deal with the procedure. Some landlords bring in lawyers. That is good, because it usually makes the procedure more professional. Termination of the tenancy after a rent reduction is ruled out.

The rent brake (§556d BGB) sets the maximum rent a landlord may charge in "tight housing markets". The law came into force nationally on 01 June 2015. The federal states decide individually whether it applies in their state and in which municipalities (see: Where does the rent brake apply). In towns and municipalities where the rent brake has been introduced, the rent may be at most ten per cent above the rent index or the local comparative rent. If you pay more, you can demand a rent reduction, even during an existing tenancy. Conny helps you do it – without stress or cost risk.