After receiving the demand, do not pay at once and do not be unsettled by the tone — you have the reflection period until the end of the second month. In that time decide consciously: agree, agree to the lawful part or refuse if the increase is ineffective. Silence offers no protection: on a valid increase the landlord can sue. But paying the higher amount early is needless — the old rent applies until the increase takes effect.
Rent Increase: deadlines and response
For consent the reflection period runs to the end of the second month. How to decide — agree, agree in part or refuse — what silence means and when the landlord can sue for consent.
✓ Verified: 20/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
› Details and tips
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Max recommends:
I marked the end of the reflection period in the calendar right after the letter. I agreed in writing only to the part within the cap, with reasons. The landlord recalculated — it never went to court.
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Lea recommends:
Do not act because of the tone of the letter. Your task is to check validity and respond in time, not to pay immediately. Disputed increases are often corrected after a calm written objection citing the Mietspiegel.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much time do I have to respond? ▾
The reflection period runs to the end of the second calendar month after receipt of the demand. A letter in March means consent until the end of May. On consent the new rent applies from the start of the third month after receipt.
What if I simply do not respond? ▾
Silence does not count as consent but offers no protection: if the increase is valid, the landlord can sue for consent and reclaim the difference. Better to check the letter consciously and respond in time.
Can I agree in part? ▾
Yes. If the increase is only partly valid — for instance beyond the cap — you can agree to the lawful part and refuse the rest. This is often wiser than a full refusal and lowers the risk of a dispute.
Do I have to pay more at once? ▾
No: only once the increase takes effect, i.e. on consent from the start of the third month after receipt. Until then the previous rent applies. Do not pay the higher amount in advance just in case.