AG Frankfurt/Main, decision of 21/06/2021, ref.: 33 C 1888/21
In tenancy law, it is also possible to apply for the court to make a decision within days rather than months. To do this, the tenant must submit an application for a temporary injunction in accordance with Section 940 ZPO.
In such a case, the court can issue the injunction without a prior hearing. Although the opponent has the opportunity to object to the temporary injunction, the temporary injunction procedure is an opportunity for the tenant to obtain his rights as quickly as possible in urgent cases.
In this case, the tenant successfully applied to the local court for the landlord to immediately remove the infestation of vermin from the flat.
Facts of the injunction proceedings:
Tenant's flat was heavily infested with bedbugs
The applicant's (tenant) flat was infested with bedbugs. Two pest control measures on 16.04.2021 and 21.04.2021 were unsuccessful. The applicant had probably introduced the bedbug infestation into her flat by staying in the flat of an older tenant on the first floor.
Landlord made the removal of the bedbugs dependent on concessions from the tenant
The defendant (landlord) had commissioned the bedbug control by heat treatment. However, in a letter dated 19 May 2021, she had made the execution of the work dependent on the applicant finding alternative accommodation for 3-4 days on her own initiative and at her own expense. In this letter, the applicant was also requested to dispose of some household items and furniture that were no longer required in a professional manner. Furthermore, the respondent demanded that the applicant sign letters of explanation.
The applicant had apparently already confirmed one of the letters by signing it on 8 February 2021. The further letter of clarification dated 29 April 2021 requested access to a power supply and a check as to whether there was carpeting under the actual floor covering as impact sound insulation.
Tenant filed an application for a summary judgement
The infestation was substantiated by the applicant in an affidavit dated 16 June 2021, by an affidavit from her partner dated 16 June 2021 and by the submission of correspondence between the parties that the applicant's flat is heavily infested with bedbugs.
Decision of the Local Court of Frankfurt/Main:
Frankfurt am Main Local Court sees landlord's obligation to remove
The Local Court of Frankfurt am Main has now ruled that the applicant has a claim against the defendant pursuant to Section 535 (1) sentence 2 BGB to have the bed bugs removed. Pests such as bed bugs would constitute a defect in the rented property, which the landlord would generally have to remove. Something else could only apply if the tenant had caused the pest infestation through incorrect living behaviour. Visiting a flatmate in need of care in their flat and then returning to their own flat was part of normal tenancy use and could not be held against the applicant.
The defendant therefore had to eliminate the bedbug infestation. The defendant could not make the execution of the work dependent on the applicant seeking alternative accommodation on her own initiative and at her own expense. Rather, it would be the defendant's responsibility to provide the applicant with alternative accommodation for the duration of the work.
The landlord's demands for pest removal were unlawful
Nor could the defendant demand that the applicant either dispose of household items and furniture or have them cleaned at her own expense. The cleaning of all furniture and household items is the responsibility of the defendant.
Finally, the defendant could not demand that the applicant sign a further information letter. The applicant had already signed a letter of clarification that was recognisably addressed to the residents. The letter of clarification dated 29 April 2021 was recognisably addressed to the client, namely the respondent, and not to the applicant. It was not the applicant's responsibility to provide a power supply or to check whether there was carpeting under the actual flooring as impact sound insulation.
The urgency was also given. It was not the applicant's fault that the work had not yet been carried out. The applicant could not reasonably be expected to wait any longer.
Important Note: The content of this article has been prepared to the best of our knowledge and belief. However, due to the complexity and constant changes in the subject matter, liability and guarantees are excluded.Important Note: The content of this article has been prepared to the best of our knowledge. However, due to the complexity and constant changes in the legal field, we exclude liability and warranties.
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