Illustration der Wegweiserin
Are you at risk of being evicted? In this case, the social welfare office can support you with this service so that you can keep your home.

Important facts

The takeover of rent arrears is an offer for tenants who have rent arrears and are unable to pay them back on their own. It is designed to protect you from losing your home if you are facing termination or eviction proceedings due to rent arrears. In certain cases, the social welfare office or job center can then take over the rent debts.

 

If your monthly income is not sufficient to cover the rent, you can initially use other options to help yourself (for example, by taking out a private loan, paying in installments or using assets).

 

If these are not an option and you apply to the job center or social welfare office to have the rent debt paid, they will first check whether you are entitled to housing benefit. If this is not the case, you may be entitled to the payment of rent arrears.

 

The decision as to whether you receive this support is always a case-by-case decision. An assessment is carried out to determine whether all the requirements for your rent arrears to be covered are met. There is no legal entitlement to the assumption of your rent arrears.

The assumption of rent arrears is dependent on income and assets. In most cases, the benefit is provided as a loan that you must repay.
 


The assumption of rent arrears may be an option for you if

  • you have rent arrears and are unable to pay them back on your own.
  • there is a threat of termination or eviction proceedings due to your rent arrears, which could lead to you losing your home. 
  • your monthly income is not sufficient to cover your rent and you have no other options to help yourself.
  • You are not entitled to housing benefit.
  • You intend to stay in the apartment for a longer period of time.
  • no other suitable accommodation is available to you.
  • future rent payments are secured, for example through direct payments from the responsible benefit provider.
  • you are able to settle your rent debts within the grace period of 2 months after being served with the eviction notice.
  • You have not already received a termination without notice in the last 2 years, which became invalid due to payment of the rent arrears.
  • Your landlord or landlady has not given you notice of termination (with notice period) at the same time.

The assumption of rent arrears is not an option for you if

  • you have the means to end your emergency situation yourself (e.g. by using assets or taking out a private loan).
  • your current accommodation costs are deemed unreasonable.
  • future rent payments are not secured.
  • You are entitled to housing benefit.
  • You have other suitable accommodation available.
  • You have already received a termination without notice in the last 2 years and have made it ineffective by paying the rent arrears.

The most important facts about the assumption of rent arrears.


Good to know.

Zum Antrag bei Bezug von Leistungen über das Jobcenter

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Hier kommen Sie zum passenden Antrag, wenn Sie Leistungen nach SGB II über das Jobcenter beziehen.

Zu den Leistungen nach SGB II gehört unter Anderem das Bürgergeld.

Illustration der Wegweiserin.Sie sitzt auf dem Rand eines großen Bildschirms.Ihre rechte Hand hält ein Dokument, darüber schwebt ein weißer Haken auf rotem Grund.

Apply Online

Here you can apply directly online for the payment of rent arrears if you receive benefits according to SGB XII (via the social welfare office).

Note: The application for recipients of benefits according to SGB II (via the Jobcenter) will be made available here soon.