Exorbitant additional costs: tenants sue insolvent landlords

Exorbitant additional costs: tenants sue insolvent landlords

Deutsche Invest Immobilien, a company that owns four residential buildings with a total of 192 residential units in Neu-Isenburg, has confronted tenants with exorbitant utility bills. A tenant, Anton P., received a letter with an additional demand of 3,142 euros for 2022. In addition, Deutsche Invest Immobilien demanded a drastic increase in the advance payment of additional costs to 349 euros per month from December 1, 2023. This was almost double the amount compared to the previous year.

When the tenants defended themselves against the unlawful demands, they were confronted with reminders and threats of enforcement. The Frankfurt Tenant Protection Association confirmed that the d.i.i.'s cost statements. were incorrect for many tenants. Disproportionately high amounts were demanded for services such as caretaker costs and garden maintenance. The d.i.i. refused the tenant protection association access to the documents that could justify the cost billing.

Affected tenants, including Anton P. and residents of another d.i.i. building, are considering legal action against the excessive demands. The company attributes the increase in additional costs to the increased heating and insurance costs, which are caused by external factors. Despite the bankruptcy filing, Deutsche Invest Immobilien assures that the deposits and advance payments for additional costs are safely invested in separate accounts for the tenants.