What does it mean?
Rent reduction means you have the right to lower rent if the apartment has defects affecting your living conditions. This can include water damage, mold, broken heating, construction noise, or parts of the apartment being unusable.
The reduction amount depends on how serious the defect is and how much of the apartment is affected. For a completely uninhabitable apartment, rent can be set to zero.
Key Points
- Right to reduced rent for defects affecting living conditions
- Applies to: water damage, mold, broken heating, noise, uninhabitability
- Amount depends on severity of defect
- Landlord must be notified in writing about the defect
- Rent Tribunal decides disputes about reduction amount
Practical Tip
Report the defect in writing immediately. Document with photos and notes. Notify the landlord that you're claiming a rent reduction. If you can't agree, contact the Rent Tribunal.
Legal Basis: Land Code Ch. 12, §§ 11, 16