Commercial tenancy law differs fundamentally from residential tenancy law as it does not offer any specific tenant protection. In this area, tenants and landlords are treated as equal parties.
Termination periods in commercial leases
This results in greater scope for terminating commercial leases. Contractual deviations can override legal provisions. Therefore, termination requirements and deadlines often vary in the individual contract. Before terminating the lease, it is essential to check the rental agreement to know the correct steps and deadlines.
Commercial leases are often concluded for a limited period of time. In such cases, ordinary termination is not possible as the contract ends automatically when the deadline expires. However, under certain conditions, extraordinary termination without notice or special termination is possible. A termination agreement can also be concluded by mutual agreement.
Wann gilt ein Mietvertrag als gewerblich?
The type of contract depends on the intended use. A rental agreement for business use of the property is considered commercial. In contrast to this is the residential rental agreement, which covers private residential use.
Wann kann ich meinen Gewerbemietvertrag kündigen?
In contrast to residential tenancy law, neither tenants nor landlords have to provide legal reasons for termination in the event of a normal termination.
Attention: In the case of temporary rental agreements, these end automatically and cannot be terminated normally. An exception are contracts with a term of over 30 years. In such cases, tenants and landlords can terminate the contract after 30 years (Section 544 of the Civil Code).
Unter welchen Umständen ist eine außerordentliche Kündigung gerechtfertigt?
Both fixed-term and unlimited rental contracts can be terminated without notice if there is an “important reason” (Section 543 Para. 1 BGB).
The law recognizes such extraordinary terminations in the following situations:
- Das verwehren der rechtzeitigen Nutzung der Immobilie, etwa bei verspäteter Übergabe der Geschäftsräume.
- Mieter oder Vermieter verletzen schwerwiegend eine Vertragspflicht. Zum Beispiel, wenn der Mieter die Räumlichkeiten unerlaubt untervermietet oder der Vermieter die Gesundheit des Mieters durch Schimmel oder Einsturzgefahr gefährdet. Beachte, dass meist eine vorherige Abmahnung erforderlich ist.
- Der Mieter gerät in Zahlungsverzug. Dies kann eintreten, wenn die Miete über zwei aufeinanderfolgende Termine ausbleibt oder der Mieter langfristig zu wenig Miete zahlt.
What deadlines apply for commercial lease terminations? Without special contractual agreements, the statutory provisions apply. According to Section 580a Paragraph 2 BGB:
“For business premises rental contracts, ordinary termination is possible on the third working day of a calendar quarter to the end of the next calendar quarter.”
This means that tenants and landlords must give a notice period of at least six months until the end of a calendar quarter. The statutory notice period is between six and nine months.
Tip: Send cancellation by registered mail In order to meet the deadline, the time when the cancellation is received is crucial. It is therefore advisable to send the notice of termination by registered mail or hand it over in person in the presence of a witness. A written confirmation of receipt is recommended.
What information must be included in the letter of termination? The following points are essential:
- Written form of termination.
- All tenants or landlords listed in the rental agreement must be contacted.
- Describe the property in detail, including the address.
- The termination letter must be signed by all affected parties.