Anyone who moves into a fitter’s accommodation first thinks of the price, location and equipment – safety is rarely at the top of the list. It is one of the most important basic requirements for a good stay. Safe accommodation not only protects the personal property of the residents, but also their health and well-being. Landlords who run their properties professionally know that – and invest accordingly. On the other hand, those who save on the subject of security not only risk dissatisfied tenants, but also, in the worst case, legal consequences. This overview shows which safety standards are relevant in fitter apartments and what tenants should pay attention to when choosing accommodation.
Structural safety – what landlords must guarantee
The basis of any safe accommodation is the structural condition of the building. Landlords are legally obliged to keep their properties in a habitable and safe condition. This includes a number of requirements that are non-negotiable.
The basic structural safety standards include:
- Functional door locks on entrance and room doors
- Secure stair railings and non-slip floor coverings in stairwells
- Intact windows with working locks
- Proper electrical installations without visible defects or open lines
- Functional heating system that provides sufficient heat
- Clean drinking water from all taps
Anyone who notices defects in these basic standards when moving into a fitter’s apartment – such as defective locks, shaky railings or obvious electrical problems – should report this immediately. Such defects are not small things, but safety-related defects that the landlord must rectify immediately.
Burglary Protection and Access Security
A topic that is particularly relevant for fitter apartments: Who has access to the building and the individual rooms? With high tenant fluctuation and changing residents, the risk is higher than in stable tenancies. Serious landlords therefore ensure that locks are exchanged between tenancies or – in the case of electronic systems – codes are reassigned.
Modern access systems with individual codes or chip cards offer a clear advantage over classic keys. Anyone who, as a tenant, finds that the castle of his accommodation is obviously old and was used by several people without an exchange took place, should ask the landlord about it. This is not an exaggerated claim, but a legitimate security question.
Personal property security
In fitter accommodations where several people live at the same time, the protection of personal belongings is a practical topic. Tools, electronics, cash or ID cards should be kept safe. Some landlords provide lockable cupboards or lockers – this is a useful feature, especially in group accommodation.
Anyone who lives in a fitter’s accommodation for working columns and brings valuable items with them should not leave them open. This applies not only to roommates, but also to external people who could enter the building.
Fire protection – an underestimated topic
Fire protection is regulated by law in German rental properties and is one of the most important safety standards of all. Landlords are obliged to install smoke detectors in all bedrooms and lounges as well as in hallways and to maintain them regularly. This is not a recommendation, but a must – in all federal states.
When moving in, tenants should check whether smoke detectors are available and functional. A short pressure test on the detector’s test button provides information quickly. Anyone who finds that smoke detectors are missing or not working must report this to the landlord immediately.
In addition, escape routes should be known. In multi-family houses, there is usually a clearly marked escape route via the stairwell. If you move into a fitter’s apartment in a larger property, you should orientate yourself briefly when moving in: Where is the next exit? Where is a possibly existing fire extinguisher?
Dealing with electrical appliances and open fire
Many fire damage in rental apartments is caused by improper handling of electrical appliances or open fire. In fitter’s apartments, the same rules apply as everywhere: Do not let electrical appliances run unattended, do not use overloaded multiple sockets and never let open fire – such as candles – burn unattended.
Defective electrical appliances that are part of the rental must be reported immediately and taken out of service. Anyone who continues to use an obviously damaged device will act negligently – and can be held liable in the event of damage.
Hygiene and health protection as part of safety
Safety not only means protection against burglary or fire – hygienic standards are also part of it. Mold in bedrooms, clogged drains or defective ventilation systems are not mere convenience defects, but real health risks.
Landlords are obliged to hand over their properties in a hygienic condition. Anyone who notices mold stains, a musty smell or obvious moisture damage when moving in should document and report this directly. Mold can spread quickly and lead to serious respiratory diseases – especially when sleeping and living rooms are affected.
For companies that book fitter accommodation for employees, the topic of health protection is also relevant from a labor law point of view. Anyone who sends employees to accommodation that carries health risks bears joint responsibility – regardless of whether the booking was made via a platform or directly with the landlord.
Safety standards in fitter apartments are not luxury and not overwhelmed – they are the minimum framework within which temporary living can work. Anyone who pays attention to this as a tenant and consistently reports defects protects themselves. And those who take these standards seriously, as a landlord, create the basis for a permanently good tenancy.