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A Lodger Agreement (Untermietvertrag) lets a homeowner or main tenant rent out a furnished room in their home while continuing to live there themselves. Under German law, this creates a more flexible arrangement than a standard rental contract, with the lodger having fewer tenant rights and shorter notice periods.

These agreements are common in German university cities and protect both parties by clearly stating the house rules, shared facilities access, and included services like utilities or cleaning. While lodgers enjoy basic legal protections under the German Civil Code (BGB), the arrangement assumes a more personal relationship between the parties since they share living space.

Use a Lodger Agreement when renting out a room in your German home while continuing to live there yourself. This arrangement works perfectly for homeowners looking to earn extra income or main tenants seeking to share costs, especially in expensive cities like Munich or Berlin.

The agreement becomes essential when sharing common areas like kitchens and bathrooms with your lodger. It helps prevent disputes by clearly outlining house rules, payment terms, and shared facility usage. German law treats lodger relationships differently from standard tenancies, making this specific agreement vital for protecting both parties' rights and establishing clear boundaries.

• Basic Room Rental: Most common type for renting a single furnished room with shared facilities like kitchen and bathroom. Includes house rules and utility arrangements.
• Student Lodger: Tailored for university students, often including shorter terms, semester-aligned dates, and specific study-friendly house rules.
• All-Inclusive: Covers room rental plus additional services like cleaning, laundry, and meals - popular in German pension-style arrangements.
• Business Lodger: Designed for professionals needing mid-week accommodation, often including specific quiet hours and workspace provisions.
• Short-Term: For temporary stays under six months, with more flexible terms and usually higher rates than long-term arrangements.

• Homeowners: Private individuals who rent out rooms in their primary residence while continuing to live there, often seeking extra income or companionship.
• Main Tenants: Renters who, with their landlord's permission, sublet a room in their German apartment to help cover costs.
• Lodgers: Often students, young professionals, or temporary workers seeking flexible accommodation in German cities.
• Property Managers: Help draft and manage agreements for multiple properties, ensuring compliance with German housing laws.
• Legal Advisors: Review agreements to ensure they meet BGB requirements and protect both parties' rights.

• Room Details: Document exact size, furnishings, and which shared spaces are included in the arrangement.
• Financial Terms: Set monthly rent, utility costs, deposit amount, and payment deadlines according to German standards.
• House Rules: List specific guidelines about guests, quiet hours, cleaning responsibilities, and shared facility usage.
• Duration Details: Specify start date, minimum stay period, and notice requirements for ending the agreement.
• Identity Verification: Collect necessary identification documents from the lodger as required by German registration laws.
• Documentation: Take photos of the room's condition and create an inventory list of provided furnishings.

• Party Details: Full legal names and addresses of both homeowner/main tenant and lodger, plus registration information.
• Property Description: Exact room location, measurements, and clear listing of shared facilities under BGB requirements.
• Financial Terms: Monthly rent amount, deposit (maximum 3 months), utility costs, and payment schedule.
• Duration Clause: Agreement start date, term length, and notice periods for termination.
• House Rules: Clear guidelines on shared space usage, visitors, quiet hours, and cleaning duties.
• Signatures: Dated signatures of all parties, with German-compliant execution requirements.

A Lodger Agreement differs significantly from a Co-living Agreement, though both involve shared living arrangements. The key distinctions matter for your legal rights and obligations under German law.

• Property Control: In a Lodger Agreement, the homeowner/main tenant maintains primary control and lives in the property, while Co-living Agreements establish equal rights among all residents.
• Legal Protection: Lodgers have fewer tenancy rights under German law compared to co-living residents, who enjoy full tenant protections under the BGB.
• Notice Periods: Lodger arrangements typically allow for shorter notice periods and more flexible termination terms than co-living contracts.
• Shared Facilities: Co-living agreements grant equal access rights to all common areas, while Lodger Agreements often restrict or specify limited access to shared spaces.