Extraordinary Termination of a Rental Contract in Germany – Template

An extraordinary termination (außerordentliche Kündigung) of a rental contract is different from a standard cancellation with the usual three-month notice period. It kicks in when there’s a serious reason that makes it unreasonable for either party to continue the lease until its normal end. Here’s a template, along with a breakdown of which reasons actually hold up legally.

The Legal Basis: §543 BGB

Extraordinary termination of rental agreements is governed by §543 of the German Civil Code (BGB). In essence, it states that either party can terminate the rental agreement extraordinarily and without notice if continuing the tenancy until the regular notice period ends is unreasonable for them. Important: „without notice“ (fristlos) means the normal notice period falls away and the tenancy ends when the termination reaches the landlord. Since you still need time to move out, it’s worth asking a tenants‘ association (Mieterverein) how to handle that in the letter. Two formalities always apply: the termination must be in writing (§568 BGB), and the serious reason must be stated in the letter itself (§569(4) BGB). A letter without a concrete reason is open to challenge.

Legally Recognized Grounds for Tenants

Serious health hazards in the apartment: Severe mold that isn’t fixed despite being reported can qualify — but only if you’ve already notified the landlord in writing and given them a reasonable deadline to fix it.

Refused subletting: If the landlord refuses, without a serious reason relating to the subtenant, to let you give the apartment or part of it to a third party, you can terminate extraordinarily under §540(1) BGB — but with the statutory notice period (three months), not without notice.

Death of the tenant: If the tenancy continues with the heirs, they can terminate under §564 BGB within one month of learning of the death, with the statutory notice period.

Landlord’s breach of obligations: Persistent refusal to carry out necessary repairs that significantly limit usability can also qualify.

Special Termination Rights With Statutory Notice

Besides termination without notice, there are cases where you can leave earlier than usual, though not immediately. Two common ones: after a rent increase (§561 BGB) you can terminate until the end of the second month after receiving it, effective at the end of the month after next, and the increase then doesn’t take effect. After a modernization announcement (§555e BGB) you can terminate by the end of the month following receipt, again effective at the end of the month after next.

What Does Not Count as a Serious Reason

What’s important to know: wanting a change, a new job in a different city, financial difficulties, or your own health situation (for example a move into a nursing home) generally do not count as a serious reason under German law — courts treat that as the tenant’s own risk. In those cases, you’re limited to standard termination with the regular three-month notice period, or an agreement with the landlord.

The Template (Keep This in German)

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[Dein Name]
[Deine Adresse]
[PLZ, Ort]

[Name des Vermieters]
[Adresse des Vermieters]
[PLZ, Ort]

[Ort], den [Datum]

Außerordentliche Kündigung des Mietverhältnisses, Wohnung [Adresse der Wohnung]

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

hiermit kündige ich das zwischen uns bestehende Mietverhältnis über die Wohnung in [Adresse der Wohnung] außerordentlich und fristlos gemäß §543 BGB, hilfsweise ordentlich zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt.

Grund für diese Kündigung ist: [Grund konkret benennen, z. B. „der seit dem (Datum) bestehende erhebliche Schimmelbefall im Schlafzimmer, den ich Ihnen am (Datum) angezeigt und zu dessen Beseitigung ich Ihnen mit Schreiben vom (Datum) eine Frist bis zum (Datum) gesetzt habe. Diese Frist ist ohne Behebung des Mangels verstrichen.“].

Ich bitte Sie um eine schriftliche Bestätigung der Kündigung sowie um eine zeitnahe Terminabsprache für die Wohnungsübergabe.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

[Unterschrift]
[Name in Druckbuchstaben]

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Quick translation for your reference (don’t send this part): This letter terminates the rental agreement extraordinarily and without notice under §543 BGB, states the specific reason with dates for when the issue was reported and the deadline given, and requests written confirmation plus a prompt handover appointment.

What You Must Do Before Sending This

For most grounds — especially defects like mold — simply sending the letter isn’t enough. You must first notify the landlord of the defect in writing and give them a reasonable deadline to fix it, typically two to four weeks. Only once that deadline has passed without resolution can you rely on extraordinary termination. Skip this step, and your landlord can challenge the validity — leaving you stuck in the contract for months anyway, and potentially liable for damages.

Document Everything

Especially with issues like mold, noise, or pest infestations, thorough documentation matters: dated photos, a written record of the defect, and witnesses if available. Keep every piece of correspondence with your landlord.

„Extraordinary“ Doesn’t Always Mean „Without Notice“

A common misunderstanding: „extraordinary“ doesn’t always mean „without notice“. Fristlos termination under §543 BGB ends the tenancy when the letter arrives. Special termination rights such as the death of a tenant, refused subletting, a rent increase or a modernization announcement come with a statutory notice period instead. Which one applies depends on your ground, so check it before choosing the wording.

Don’t Underestimate Legal Advice

Because an invalid extraordinary termination can get expensive — in the worst case, you remain liable for rent through the regular contract end — it’s worth consulting a tenants‘ association (Mieterverein) or a lawyer for unclear cases before sending anything.

Bottom Line

Extraordinary termination of a German rental contract isn’t a free pass — it requires a genuinely serious reason, and usually prior steps like formally reporting the defect and setting a deadline. Use the German template above only if a recognized ground genuinely applies, and document everything carefully.

Note: This is general information and a template, not legal advice. Whether a serious reason exists always depends on the individual case. If you’re unsure, ask a tenants‘ association (Mieterverein) or a lawyer.