Temp-Apartment Disagreement . - Berlin

Maybe someone has been through this before.

For the past two months, I've been living in a no contract temporary apartment. When moving in and being quite bedazzled by the place, I asked if staying longer was an option. His response was "Maybe. We will evaluate in a few months."

Well, it's been a few months and on the 25th of October, I let my landlord know that I would not be staying another month. The next day I was asked what solution I had come up with paying the next months rent. I asked why I needed to pay, he replied that I had been told at the beginning that 4 weeks notice would be needed. Which myself nor my partner remember.

So, at the moment it's a "he said/she said" style battle and I fear there will be no winners.

My question; when no contract has been signed, is a week notice fair for temporary apartments?

Some helpful mediation would be appreciated.

If this goes to court, your landlord will be the winner. 4 weeks' notice is very generous on his part. If you have no written contract (which could specify a trial period, a month-to-month lease, or a specific term) the statutory notice period for an unlimited lease applies, which is three months for the tenant.

Sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but it's the law. Next time you'll be all the wiser and will have a contract.

If this is a sublet then the person you're renting from is not some big estate agency or property owner who can cope with missing a few months rent while they find another tenant, they're just another regular tenant trying to pay the rent. Put yourself in their position; is giving them a week's notice reasonable? Nevermind what you thought you agreed, such short notice would be a nightmare for anyone. The least you could do is organise an advert here or on Craigslist to find a replacement, even if it's just a couple of weeks. Rental property is in enough demand that you should find someone soonish.. but maybe not to cover the whole of next months rent.

Thanks guys for your comments.

I now fully realize I didn`t handle the situation very well. Thankfully we were able to come to a compromise and all is settled.

Cheers