Local Court Berlin-Köpenick, 02.07.2010, Ref.: 4 C 116/10
In principle, a tenant can reduce the rent in accordance with Section 536 BGB due to external influences. These external influences include, for example, noise, air pollution and odours.
These effects constitute a defect if they are not contractually stipulated, regardless of whether they must be tolerated by the landlord as the owner. Depending on the type and severity of the defect, the tenant can then claim a rent reduction of a certain percentage, up to complete exemption from the rent. In such cases, it is generally problematic to assess whether the tenant could or should have known when the contract was concluded that these external influences would arise or increase during their tenancy.
Facts of the Case:
Tenant reduced rent due to expansion of motorway feeder road
In Berlin, a tenant claimed a rent reduction against her tenant due to noise pollution because a motorway feeder road was being extended in the immediate vicinity, increasing the volume of traffic to up to 1,000 vehicles per hour. Although there were soundproof windows in the rented flat, in the opinion of the tenant and an expert, there was insufficient insulation, as only 32 decibels of noise were insulated rather than the legally guaranteed 40 dB.
Judgement of the AG Berlin-Köpenick
Court recognised rent reduction as given, but to a lesser extent
The court considered the residential value to be reduced due to the lack of sound insulation and therefore the rent reduction to be justified. However, the court also took into account the tenant's long period of residence of almost 40 years and argued that with such a long period of residence, changes in the volume of traffic are always to be expected. A rent reduction was therefore only justified in the amount of 7.5 %.
Source: Berlin-Köpenick Local Court
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