Wegweiser Small landlords · Renting out a flat, rights and duties Deutsch

🛡️ Insurance for landlords

Which insurance policies go with letting and which costs you may pass on to the tenant.

buildings insurance liability natural hazard cover glass insurance cost pass-through contents insurance loss of rent

In brief

Residential buildings insurance protects against fire, storm and tap water. Natural hazard insurance additionally covers flooding and heavy rain.

  • You can pass on premiums for buildings insurance and for property and building liability insurance (building, oil tank, lift) through service charges if the contract allows it.
  • The tenant insures their own contents themselves.

Step by step

  1. Review existing coverCheck policies and sums insured.
  2. Clarify natural hazard coverAsk the insurer about natural hazard cover.
  3. Regulate the pass-throughList the insurance policies in the tenancy agreement as service charges.
  4. Report damageReport damage to the insurer without delay.

Deadlines

no legal obligation
According to the sources checked, residential buildings insurance is not required by law nationwide; exceptions and state law not checkedNot checked against the wording
§ 2 Nr. 13 BetrKV
Chargeable: costs of buildings insurance against fire, storm, water, natural hazards, glass, and of property and building liability insurance (building, oil tank, lift); not general liability insurance§ 2 Nr. 13 BetrKV
Watch out – common mistakes
  • Premiums and tariffs were not researched here.
  • Legal expenses and loss-of-rent insurance are voluntary and not listed in the BetrKV.
  • Whether a pass-through is agreed depends on the contract.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals

Pass-through, § 2 Nr. 13 BetrKV

Service charges include the costs of insuring the building against fire, storm, water and other natural hazards, glass insurance and property and building liability insurance (building, oil tank, lift); general liability insurance cannot be passed on. A prerequisite for the pass-through is an agreement under § 556 BGB.

Other insurance

Legal expenses, loss-of-rent and rent deposit insurance were not checked. For natural hazard insurance, Wegweiser Owners has a page of its own.

Who is responsible
  • Insurance broker or insurer
  • Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre) (general insurance questions)
  • Haus & Grund
Further reading
Service charge statementTaxes on letting

Quick questions

Worum geht es bei „Insurance for landlords“?
Which insurance policies go with letting and which costs you may pass on to the tenant.
Which deadlines and figures matter?
  • no legal obligation: According to the sources checked, residential buildings insurance is not required by law nationwide; exceptions and state law not checked (Not checked against the wording)
  • § 2 Nr. 13 BetrKV: Chargeable: costs of buildings insurance against fire, storm, water, natural hazards, glass, and of property and building liability insurance (building, oil tank, lift); not general liability insurance (§ 2 Nr. 13 BetrKV)
What should I do first?
  • Review existing cover: Check policies and sums insured.
  • Clarify natural hazard cover: Ask the insurer about natural hazard cover.
  • Regulate the pass-through: List the insurance policies in the tenancy agreement as service charges.
What do I need to watch out for?
  • Premiums and tariffs were not researched here.
  • Legal expenses and loss-of-rent insurance are voluntary and not listed in the BetrKV.
  • Whether a pass-through is agreed depends on the contract.
Evidence
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz, Gesetze im Internet, § 2 BetrKV, retrieved 20 September 2026
  • Bundesministerium der Justiz, Gesetze im Internet, § 556 BGB, retrieved 20 September 2026
As of

September 2026 · Sources and method

A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.