Water Damage in Your Apartment: First Aid, Costs & Temporary Accommodation 21rooms
A burst pipe or heavy rainfall can happen without warning. Once water starts pooling, the issue is no longer just about drying out the walls; it becomes a matter of practical legal and financial questions: Who pays for the drying equipment? How much can you reduce your rent? And where do you stay when your own home is uninhabitable?
1. The first 60 minutes: Damage control
- Turn off the water: Shut off the main water valve immediately.
- Turn off the power: Switch off the circuit breakers for the affected rooms.
- Document the damage: Take thorough photos and videos of all damage.
- Contact your landlord: Notify your property management or landlord immediately.
Important: Never hire contractors on your own without consulting your landlord first. This almost always leads to problems regarding cost coverage later on.
2. Who covers the costs?
3. Handling rent reductions correctly
As soon as the use of your apartment is restricted, you are automatically entitled to a rent reduction under Section 536 of the German Civil Code (BGB). The exact amount depends on the specific circumstances of the case:
- Damp walls: ~10 to 25% reduction
- Dehumidifier running in the room: ~20 to 30% reduction
- Excessive noise from multiple devices: up to 80% reduction
- Uninhabitable: 100% reduction
Practical tip: Do not reduce your rent unilaterally; instead, pay your rent in writing "under protest." This prevents termination due to rent arrears and allows you to negotiate the amount afterward.
4. Keep an eye out for mold
If walls do not dry quickly enough, mold will develop. Watch for a musty smell or dark spots on walls and behind cabinets. If an area of about 0.5 m² or more is affected, you must call in a professional company – DIY attempts are usually ineffective here.
5. Apartment uninhabitable? Your right to compensation
If your apartment is unusable due to renovations or noise, you are entitled to alternative accommodation under Section 555a (3) of the German Civil Code (BGB).
A standard hotel room quickly reaches its limits in such situations: Where do you put your salvaged belongings? Where can you quickly cook a meal? And after just a few days, you start to feel like you are living out of a suitcase. Our comparison between serviced apartments and hotels highlights exactly why this difference becomes crucial after only a few days. For weeks or months, serviced apartments the necessary flexibility.
21rooms in Ingolstadt (Donaustraße 13 & Spitalstraße 4):
This is where 21rooms comes in. With two locations right in the heart of Ingolstadt's old town (Donaustraße 13 and Spitalstraße 4), we offer fully equipped apartments ranging from 20 to 120 sqm – including your own kitchen and the comfort you need during transitional periods.
This makes our solution for Ingolstadt particularly practical:
- Self-check-in: For urgent situations where you need to move in during the middle of the night or on the weekend.
- Flexible duration: Attractive weekly and monthly rates for cases where no one can say exactly how long the renovation will take.
- All-inclusive service: Weekly cleaning is already included.
- Simple processing: Direct corporate billing for insurance companies and property management firms.
Insurance companies and property management firms looking for short-term alternative accommodation for affected parties can reach us directly via our contact page. You can find all details regarding our units under Temporary Housing – or you can check availabilitydirectly online.
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