Cracks in the walls

The landlord's duty in the event of cracks in the walls

Cracks develop over time in many houses. Often there are only very narrow settlement or stress cracks. In old buildings, for example, there is also the case that large cracks come to light that go through the wall and into the fresh air. Either way: Find out here how you can best talk to your landlord.

• It is the type of crack that justifies the legitimate claim of your demands for a repair or not. In general, the landlord is obliged to act if your apartment can no longer be used without restrictions.
• Small cracks, even if they cause a visual impairment, are not sufficient for a rent reduction, and getting disproportionately expensive renovations through is at least difficult, if not impossible. However, if the cracks mean that your energy consumption increases significantly or you can even take a look at the street, your landlord must act.
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• You shouldn't be too demanding, especially with the small impairments mentioned. It is best to write to your landlord with a few photos what bothers you and make some suggestions as to what you would like to see changed. With small cracks, a "stable wallpaper" often helps so that the cracks do not reappear so quickly. Due to the stable fibers, it does not tear again a few months later, as is the case with normal woodchip wallpaper.
• Your relationship with the landlord is important: if you get on well with your landlord, an agreement should be possible. If this is not the case, it is helpful to contact a local rental association or, if you have legal protection insurance, seek advice from a lawyer. If your legal protection insurance also offers a lawyer hotline, there is no deductible for advice on this.


Damp walls - what to do?

Have you discovered damp walls in your apartment? Not that bad, will you ...

• In the case of large cracks that affect life in your apartment, things look different: Here the landlord has to act and that too in a reasonable time. Above all, it is important for you to check whether the walls are load-bearing.

Even with small cracks, the following applies: Over the next few months, observe whether and to what extent they continue to spread. The best way to achieve this is to measure the points and note the data and check it every now and then.

Possible consequential damage from cracks in the walls

Cracks in the walls are not just an aesthetic problem. For reassurance: The very small, superficial cracks do not pose any danger and are primarily a visual impairment. In the case of deep cracks, however, it looks different.

• One problem with large cracks is that moisture can penetrate from the outside. This not only increases your heating costs, it can also become a lot more unpleasant: the moisture can cause mold to form on the wallpaper and also in the walls, which is harmful to health.
• The statics can also be impaired if load-bearing walls are affected by the cracks. In any case, caution and immediate action on the part of the landlord are mandatory. Insist on quick problem solving by trained craftsmen, as small cosmetic repairs only hide the much larger problem.
• There are also areas in Germany where earthquakes occur every now and then. If this is also the case with you, you should observe carefully even with smaller cracks whether the walls are load-bearing and, if necessary, inform the landlord of the danger.