Can my landlord prohibit me from using the communal laundry room?
December 2, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Günther Schulz
Dear lawyer specializing in tenancy law,
I am reaching out to you with a question regarding my current living situation. My name is Emilia Otremka and I am a tenant in an apartment in a multi-family house. For some time now, I have been having issues with my landlord, as he wants to prohibit me from using the communal laundry room.
The laundry room is accessible to all tenants of the building and is regularly used by all residents. There have been no problems so far, however, my landlord has now informed me that I am no longer allowed to use the laundry room, as allegedly there have been complaints from other tenants. No specific reasons or indications of my wrongdoing were communicated to me.
I am very concerned as I rely on the use of the laundry room to wash my clothes. Without the ability to use the laundry room, I would have to resort to expensive alternatives such as using a dry cleaner or going to a laundromat, which is financially not feasible for me.
Therefore, I am wondering if my landlord can actually prohibit me from using the communal laundry room and what legal steps I can take in this situation. Are there ways to defend my right to use the laundry room and how can I challenge my landlord's decision?
I thank you in advance for your support and look forward to your expert assessment.
Sincerely,
Emilia Otremka
Dear Mrs. Otremka,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the issues with your landlord regarding the use of the communal laundry room. It is understandable that you are concerned and wish to defend your rights as a tenant. Typically, the use of the communal laundry room for all tenants of a multi-family house is regulated in the lease agreement or house rules.
If your landlord suddenly prohibits you from using the laundry room without providing specific reasons, this is usually not legal. As a tenant, you generally have the right to use communal facilities, such as the laundry room, as long as you follow the rules and do not disturb or harass other residents. Your landlord can only restrict the use of the laundry room under certain circumstances, such as if there have been complaints about your behavior in the laundry room or if the laundry room is being renovated or used for other purposes.
In your case, it appears that your landlord is prohibiting you from using the laundry room without a specific justification, which may not be legal. You have various options to challenge your landlord's decision. Firstly, you can request in writing that your landlord provide you with the specific reasons for the prohibition of using the laundry room. If your landlord does not do so or the reasons are not understandable, you can seek assistance from a lawyer specializing in tenancy law and take legal action against your landlord's decision.
It is important that you know and defend your rights as a tenant. If your landlord continues to insist on his position, you can obtain an injunction or file a lawsuit in court to enforce your right to use the laundry room. A lawyer specializing in tenancy law can assist you in this process and help you successfully defend your rights.
I hope this information is helpful to you and supports you in your situation. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Günther Schulz
Lawyer specializing in tenancy law
