Guide for owners, buyers, sellers & landlords

Berlin est une ville formidable, marquée par la diversité à bien des égards. Elle est le siège du gouvernement et une métropole culturelle. Mais Berlin est-elle un endroit où il fait bon vivre ? En comparaison internationale, Berlin compte parmi les villes les plus agréables à vivre du monde entier. Berlin ne cesse de croître, car de plus en plus de personnes veulent s’installer dans la capitale. Les villes offrent de nombreux avantages en termes d’emploi et de loisirs. Malgré la forte demande de logements, Berlin se distingue par ses nombreux espaces ouverts qui enrichissent la vie urbaine. Ainsi, environ 40 % du territoire de la ville est constitué de forêts, de terres agricoles, de plans d’eau, de jardins familiaux et de parcs. 13 % de Berlin sont consacrés à la détente, aux loisirs et au sport. Pour profiter au mieux des avantages de la ville, il convient de déterminer quelle partie de Berlin correspond le mieux à vos besoins en matière de logement. Chaque quartier se définit par des caractéristiques différentes, de sorte que les quartiers de Berlin peuvent presque être considérés comme des villes individuelles.

Handover with protocol and keys: Tenants should always record everything in writing when moving in and out. From moving in to moving out of your apartment – tenancy law plays an important role at every stage. In Berlin, the general German tenancy laws apply, supplemented by local regulations such as the rent cap. This guide provides an overview for tenants (as of May 2025) of what you need to be aware of at the start of the tenancy (moving in) and at the end (moving out). What do I need to bear in mind when giving notice? In what condition must the apartment be returned? And what deadlines apply? You will find the answers here – legally sound, understandable and practical.

When a marriage or partnership ends, the urgent question often arises: what happens to the joint property? A house or condominium is usually the most valuable joint possession – and emotionally charged. In this guide, we show you what options there are for dividing up a divorced property without it becoming a war of the roses.

Property owners must not only keep an eye on the building, but also on the financial situation surrounding it: interest rates, loans, taxes and other factors affect the property as an investment. In recent years, the sector has been particularly affected by rising interest rates. What does this mean for you as a property owner? This guide provides an overview of how interest rate changes affect you and what you should bear in mind when it comes to taxes and finances.

The value of a property is not a fixed value – it depends on market conditions, calculation methods and the condition of the property. At the same time, owners can increase the value of their property through targeted measures. In this guide, we explain the common valuation methods and give tips on how to make your house or apartment even more attractive in order to increase its value or achieve a better sales price.

As people get older, their expectations of their own home change. A large multi-storey house with a garden can become a burden, while a barrier-free apartment in the city brings a new quality of life. This guide shows how property owners can plan ahead: Convert or move? Sell or annuitize? – so that you can live comfortably and securely in old age.

Owners are often faced with the question of how best to pass on their property to the next generation – by bequeathing it after death or making a gift during their lifetime. Both options involve legal and financial aspects that need to be well thought out. In this guide, you will find out what you should pay attention to in order to transfer your house or apartment to your loved ones in the best possible way.

Termination of a tenancy agreement without notice is only permitted in exceptional cases. Under German tenancy law, tenants enjoy strong protection against termination, but in the event of serious breaches of contract, a landlord may also terminate a tenancy agreement without notice (Section 543 BGB). This means that the tenancy is terminated immediately without observing the regular notice period. Important: Termination without notice always requires good cause. Legally recognized reasons include, in particular, significant default in payment by the tenant, continued disturbance of the peace in the building or deliberate serious damage to property. Unauthorized transfer of use (illegal subletting) or criminal activities in the apartment are also possible. In the following, we explain the most important reasons and what landlords need to bear in mind.

A strict ban on the conversion of rental apartments has been in force in Berlin since 2021. This is intended to prevent rental apartments from being divided up and sold as condominiums en masse – especially in tight housing markets. The basis for this is Section 250 of the German Building Code (BauGB), introduced by the Building Land Mobilization Act.

Service charges – often referred to as operating costs – are all ongoing costs incurred by the owner as a result of owning the property and operating the building. The landlord can pass many of these on to the tenants if this is agreed in the tenancy agreement.

Determining the right rent level requires a sure instinct – especially in Berlin, where the topic of rent is politically explosive. Landlords should take market value and their own cost structure into account when setting prices, but also comply with the statutory rent limits. In Berlin, the nationwide rent cap applies: when re-letting, the new rent may not be more than 10% above the local comparative rent. Since 2020, the local rent cap with temporarily stricter upper limits has also been abolished. Here is an overview of what landlords need to know now:

Landlords should put all important agreements in writing. In Germany, a written tenancy agreement is not mandatory by law, but it is strongly recommended. If the contract does not contain certain clauses, the statutory provisions automatically apply – these are often designed to be tenant-friendly. Landlords should therefore always have a valid tenancy agreement signed before the new tenant moves in. Verbal agreements are valid, but are difficult to prove and, in case of doubt, disadvantageous for landlords.

Landlords in Berlin should prepare their apartment optimally before renting it out and have all the important documents ready. In particular, this includes a valid energy performance certificate, which landlords must present to prospective tenants without being asked at the latest at the viewing – since 2014, certain energy values have even been mandatory in real estate advertisements. If the energy certificate is missing or mandatory information is omitted from the advertisement, fines of up to €10,000 may be imposed.

Tax aspects play an important role when selling real estate in Germany. Whether and what taxes are due on the sale depends on several factors – in particular how long the property was owned and how it was used (owner-occupied or rented out).

The process of selling your property reaches its climax with the purchase contract and the notary appointment. In this phase, the sale becomes legally binding. But what steps need to be taken before notarization, what must the contract contain and what should you as a seller – whether in Berlin or from abroad (e.g. France) – pay particular attention to? This guide provides you with a comprehensive overview of how to conclude the contract safely and smoothly.

Tough times call for tough measures. Owners in financial or personal distress are often faced with the choice of selling their property quickly (distress sale) or accepting a (forced) auction. It is important to know the differences between these options and to set the right course at an early stage. Below you will find a comprehensive guide to distress sales, forced sales and partition auctions – from definitions, reasons and procedures to alternatives and professional support.

Listed buildings are architecturally attractive and have a special historical charm. However, anyone wishing to sell such a listed property faces specific challenges. Strict requirements from the monument protection authorities, higher maintenance costs and legal peculiarities make the sales process more complex than for a normal house. In this guide, we shed light on the most important points – from legal and tax principles to valuation and marketing tips. You will be well informed and prepared to sell your listed building successfully and without any worries.

People who want to sell their property often consider interested parties from the immediate vicinity – such as neighbors or acquaintances in the neighborhood. Selling to someone from the neighborhood can seem tempting, as there is already interest and trust. The thought often sounds logical: “Why hire an estate agent if my neighbor wants to buy right away?”

Selling a property in Germany – especially in a metropolis like Berlin – will be a more complex undertaking in 2025 than ever before. Increased requirements (e.g. due to the Building Energy Act) and a changing real estate market require specialist knowledge and a well-thought-out strategy. An experienced real estate agent will help you to complete the sales process smoothly, stress-free and successfully. In this guide, we explain step by step how to sell a property with an estate agent, which current trends and laws you should be aware of and give you tips on how to achieve the best price.

A successful property sale needs to be well prepared – this also includes an overview of all costs incurred and the current legal situation regarding estate agent commission. If you want to sell a property privately, you should know who pays the estate agent’s commission since the new Estate Agents Act, what other sales costs you will incur and how to successfully negotiate the sales price. Below you will find a comprehensive guide with all the important information on estate agent commission and typical selling costs so that you are financially well prepared for the sale of your property.

A real estate sale is hardly conceivable without a successful viewing. If you want to sell your apartment in Berlin, you should prepare the property viewing well and conduct it strategically. After all, this is where it is often decided whether a prospective buyer will become a buyer. A well thought-out presentation of your property – whether it’s a house viewing or an apartment viewing – leaves a positive impression and can speed up the sales process. In the following, we provide practical tips on how to plan and carry out viewing appointments in the best possible way. (Tip: Make sure you set a realistic asking price in advance. A professional property valuation will help you to neither scare off prospective buyers nor sell below value).

Would you like to sell your property in Berlin successfully? A professional exposé and a well thought-out marketing strategy are essential. There is intense competition for buyers in the capital – if you want to stand out with your real estate offer, you need to be convincing from the outset.

Would you like to sell your property in Berlin and are wondering what price to set for it? A well-founded property valuation before the sale is crucial to avoid giving away money or scaring off buyers with an inflated price. Especially in the current market situation – after temporary price declines due to higher interest rates, real estate prices in Berlin are now on the rise again – owners should realistically assess the value of their property. In the following, you will find out what is important when determining the value and how you can find the optimum sales price with the support of ADEN Immobilien.

A real estate sale needs to be well prepared. If you want to sell your house or apartment quickly and at the best price, you should plan and implement all the important steps in good time. From pricing and document procurement to marketing and sales processing, it is important not to forget anything. This guide provides private property sellers with a checklist of the most important points as well as tips on how to avoid typical mistakes and successfully prepare their property sale.

Buying a property is usually the biggest financial decision in life – which makes it all the more important to have a well-planned real estate financing plan. This guide provides you with a comprehensive overview of the key aspects: Incidental purchase costs, current interest rate trends, financing with and without equity and alternatives such as installment plan. You will be well prepared to finance your dream of owning your own home or investment property.

Real estate is considered a solid investment – but is it really worth investing in apartments and the like, and what should you bear in mind? In this version, we take a holistic view of real estate as a capital investment: from classic rental apartments to special properties such as care properties and the valuation standards used to assess profitability. This gives you a comprehensive overview of whether a real estate investment is worthwhile for you.

Once you have successfully purchased a property, the time has come to move – a final challenge before you can enjoy your new home. With good planning, the move will go smoothly and you can even save time, nerves and money. Below you will find tips on how to make your move efficient and stress-free.

The dream property has finally been found – now it’s time for the purchase decision and the transaction. This phase is all about putting the property through its paces before buying, securing the purchase contractually and preparing the transfer of ownership step by step. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, you should proceed systematically and consult experts where necessary.

Finding the right property in Berlin is often difficult. Supply is scarce and sought-after properties are quickly sold out. However, with clever planning and the right strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of finding your dream house or apartment. First of all, it is important to define clear search criteria: Determine your budget, desired living space, number of rooms, location and furnishings. Also consider which features are a must and where you would make compromises. A realistic assessment of the financing is also part of this – it is best to have your bank confirm a financing margin at an early stage. With clear ideas, you can search in a more targeted manner and react more quickly when a suitable offer appears.