Administrative services A-Z

A rent index gives you an overview of the rents of comparable apartments in the municipality. It contains indications that:

• whether the rent for the apartment in which you live is reasonable,
• the minimum rent you have to pay for an apartment you want to rent, or
• whether the rent for an apartment you want to rent is reasonable if the apartment is located in an area where the regulations of the so-called rent brake apply.

On the basis of net cold rents that have been newly agreed or changed in the last four years, the rent index shows the average rent (local comparative rent) in euros/sqm per month. broken down by size of dwelling and year of construction. This comparative rent can increase or decrease for each individual apartment. The criteria for this are listed in the rent index.

For example, the following can be decisive:

• residential area (e.g. city limits or centre),
• location of the house (e.g. quiet or high traffic noise pollution, connection to public transport),
• energetic state of modernization and
• Equipment of the apartment (e.g. central heating, indoor toilet, parquet floor).

The local comparative rent may differ significantly from the current market rent.

Rent indexes are drawn up jointly or by the municipalities by representatives of landlord and tenant stakeholders (e.g. tenants' associations, homeowners' and landowners' associations). A municipality should draw up a rent index if there is a need for it.

As a rule, rent indexes should be adjusted and published every two years in line with market developments.

Rent indexes are available for most larger cities.

Check with the municipality where the apartment in question is located to see if an up-to-date rent index is available.

The city or municipal administration in whose territory the rented apartment is located is responsible.

• Regulations on the amount of rent

The law distinguishes between rent index and qualified rent index (§558d BGB). The qualified rent index is drawn up according to recognised scientific principles and is recognised by the municipality or by representatives of landlords and tenants.

• Notes on the preparation of rent indexes - Brochure
• Information page of the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB) on the rent index
• Dissemination of rent indexes in municipalities