Wallpaper Wars: What German Tenants Must Know Before Moving Out
Wallpaper is regaining popularity as a quick way to refresh living spaces. Many tenants in Germany choose to wallpaper their rental homes, but legal and practical challenges often arise when moving out. Rules on removal depend on lease terms, court rulings, and the condition of the walls when the tenant moved in.
German law generally allows tenants to wallpaper apartments as part of their right to personalise their home. However, disputes often occur over whether the wallpaper must be removed before moving out. A 2015 Federal Court ruling (BGH, VIII ZR 367/13) remains the key reference: tenants must only restore walls if the changes—such as bold patterns or unusual colours—deviate from the apartment's standard. Neutral designs or standard wallpaper can usually stay.
Many leases include a Tapetenklausel, a clause requiring tenants to strip all wallpaper, even pre-existing layers. Yet legal experts warn that over 70% of such pre-written clauses are unenforceable under court decisions. If a tenant moves into a painted apartment and later adds wallpaper, they typically must return the walls to their original state.
Removing old wallpaper can be difficult without the right approach. A scoring tool helps puncture the surface before applying a liquid remover with surfactants. After soaking, the paper peels off more easily with a putty knife. Stubborn residue may need a second application or a steamer. Skipping this process and wallpapering over old layers risks damaging indoor air quality—and could lead to complaints from landlords.
Tenants should check their lease and assess the wallpaper's condition before moving out. If removal is required, using the correct tools and techniques simplifies the task. Courts continue to uphold that only non-standard changes must be reversed, leaving neutral or existing wallpaper untouched.
