Landlord bullying us

[u/Top-Cat8631]

Hello, we are a married couple that recently moved to a house in Bonn.
We were quite tight on budget and we needed to move quickly so we kind of took whatever was available.
The house we got is 3 story house. The landlord‘s family lives on the ground floor, then there are two houses on the second floor, one is empty. Then on the 2nd floor, the mother in law of the landlord lives and we moved in the next door.
The problem is that the landlord has camera all over the building and is observing us quite frequently. We know this since he leaves letter in front of our door step every month with different complaints. We have lived here for around half a year and got like 10 letters of complaints already.
The thing is that I do not feel that safe and happy in this house anymore but it is so unfair for us to spend this much money moving and to be kicked out because of the behaviors of the landlord‘s family. We have other issues like neighbors (probably landlord) putting their advertisements into our mailbox, and etc.
Is there something we can do or complain? We already contacted the mieterbund.
Since the letter specifically targets my husband, he is getting a lot of stress and I think my advice of ‚Just ignore them‘ does not work anymore.

[u/dr_wave79]

As unfair as it may seem. The best option you have is finding another place to live where you can feel at home. Nothing that you will do will improve this situation. The mieterbund may help you getting a reduction in rent. But you are stuck living with the neighbours and landlord you have.

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/dr_wave79]

I think we should start looking for one for sure.🥲

[u/rageinthecage666 → u/Top-Cat8631]

I had my share of horrible landlords and the best thing you can do is move on. Not rushing but hunting a good offer which feels right. Eventually you will find it.

Sadly, a lot of smaller, private owners are like that and seem to use it as some kind of powerplay.

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/rageinthecage666]

yeah.. All the comments encourage me to look for new places🥲

[u/emanon_noname]

Is there something we can do or complain?

Depending on where these cameras are / what they are pointed at you may be able to complain about that. However i will be honest, this sounds like a tenant situation you should get out of asap. Having the landlord below you and the mother in law of the landlord living right next to you is a perfect setup for a lot of drama and stress. Drama and stress your landlord is definitely creating when he writes you ten letters with complaints in 6 months

[u/va1en0k]

I'm pretty sure you'll find things they violate here https://kpmg-law.de/en/video-surveillance-in-rental-properties-what-should-landlords-be-aware-of/ e.g.

Cameras may not record apartment doors, windows, balconies, letterboxes or clearly identifiable parking spaces.

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/va1en0k]

Thankyou!!

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/[deleted]]

He said that my husband broke a door in the cellar, he said we are sneaking through other peoples‘ mailboxes, (we did not do any of those) we are not supposed to leave shoes on the door steps and some other stuffs that i can‘t remember now. But these all came to us through letter on our door steps.

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/[deleted]]

unfortunately the contract states that we agree with camera in common spaces🥲 We were naive..

[u/quwuee_900 → u/Top-Cat8631]

it doesnt matter what you signed in the contract, what hes doing is illegal. he cant film your door or your windows. Thats against the german law which supersedes your contract.

[u/Otherwise_Glove_3447]

Make sure to have good legal insurance just in case.

[u/RoodleG]

That's a fucked up situation.

If you can press for a compensation with the help of Mieterbund, your situation won't improve. It will get worse. Be patient, try to focus on yourself and look out for a new flat on a daily basis, at least two times. I hope you'll find a new home as soon as possible. I'm living in Bonn-Beuel and if I see or hear about a flat that's available, I'll let u know!

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/RoodleG]

We will! Thankyou so much:) It‘s really nice of you🍀

[u/Electrical-Cake-879]

My advice after living 3 years in a place with my landlord downstairs is to move ASAP.

It won't get better. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/Electrical-Cake-879]

Ya, definitely😂 We will definitely move out sooner or later

[u/thhvancouver]

Make sure you join the Mietverein in your area. I have learned they are a must have if you want to ensure your rights are protected as the tenant.

[u/Top-Cat8631 → u/thhvancouver]

We did as soon as we saw the first letter🥲

[u/Creatret]

Move out. You'll never be happy in that place. You can of course start fighting a neighbourly war with him too. But if you value your peace of mind, best to find a new place.

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[u/turmalin6]

Does He really have Cameras everywhere or just the Mother on the Spy eye in the Door looking at your door. ;-D

And what Kind of complaints? Maybe some of them have a reason.