So somehow the heating or the electricity broke in your flat in Berlin and you called the landlord and they promised to fix it but it has been more than 3 days without any hope to get it fixed?

How to solve this? are you gonna beg your landlord forever to fix it for you?! This is a very common situation in Berlin, especially that some landlords and companies avoid spending money to maintain the apartments.

The solution is pretty simple: if you are in the winter period (October until the end of April), and you don’t have heating for more than 24 hours, then you have the right to stop paying rent until it’s fixed. You also have the right for a rent reduction for the days where you had no heating.

So how to navigate this while being polite with the landlord and without creating a toxic relationship with them? I would simply send them an email informing them that it has been more than 24 hours for you without heating, and that you read online that you have the right for a rent reduction for the days where you had no heating, so kindly request to arrange a reduction for you.

It’s important to note that most landlords when they deal with expats they assume that they don’t know their rights, so they keep ignoring. Once you send that email, then they will realize that things are serious now and they will react quickly.

If things get complicated and you need help, then it’s recommended to contact a Mietverein and ask them to help you out.