September 2, 2026, 8:53 am | Read time: 7 minutes
Landlords can list many things in their rental agreements that tenants are not allowed to do: grilling, making structural changes, or excessively disturbing the peace of other tenants. But there are also absurd prohibitions for tenants that leave even experienced lawyers shaking their heads. myHOMEBOOK spoke with an attorney about this. She clarifies whether such absurd prohibitions are even allowed.
When moving into a new home, you will eventually face signing the rental agreement. It not only regulates the amount of rent but also the rights and prohibitions for tenants as long as the rental relationship exists. myHOMEBOOK consulted with attorney Nicole Mutschke. She explains which absurd prohibitions she has encountered in her career and whether one should even sign rental agreements with overly absurd regulations.
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10 Absurd Prohibitions by Landlords
Showering After 10 p.m. Prohibited
Those who work shifts or were out late often come home in the middle of the night. Many would likely find it unpleasant to go to bed without showering. In apartment buildings, there is indeed a nighttime quiet period from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., during which neighbors should not be disturbed. But is showering considered noise pollution? The Mieterbund Nordhessen states, for example, that showering and bathing are allowed after 10 p.m., but the right to do so may be limited to 30 minutes to keep the noise level elevated for a limited time.
Toilet Flushing at Night Allowed Only Once
Going to the toilet is a normal human need and is therefore not subject to prohibition. Tenants are allowed to use the toilet at night, no matter how often.
However, both nighttime showering and frequent toilet flushing, among other noise disturbances of a Hamburg woman, became her downfall. After the property management even issued a warning, the woman eventually faced a lawsuit and had to vacate the apartment.
Children’s Noise Must Be Prevented
Loud children are subject to special regulations because they have a strong urge to play and want to explore the world. Accordingly, other tenants should show greater acceptance of noise from children, and rent reductions are only acceptable in rare cases. The Bundestag also published its own summary on this.
Laundry May Only Be Hung on Mondays
Doing laundry is part of the contractual use of the apartment, so there is no prohibition for tenants on washing and hanging laundry. Out of consideration for neighbors, one should preferably not wash at night with particularly loud machines, but since hanging laundry is not noise pollution, there is no prohibition for it.
Also interesting: Is it allowed to hang laundry in the garden on Sundays?
Windows May Only Be Opened for a Maximum of 15 Minutes in Winter
This point is also not a general prohibition that landlords can impose. Rather, it is considered a general guideline for airing out in winter to prevent mold and allow moisture to escape. Property management cannot dictate how often and when the window may be opened.
Only White Curtains Allowed
When it comes to the interior design of living spaces, the landlord has little to no say. While walls cannot simply be torn down in rental apartments, residents are free to decide how to furnish and decorate individual rooms and whether to install privacy screens. So, if you want to install white curtains indoors, there is initially no prohibition against it. The same applies to blue, green, or curtains in other colors.
However: Those who want to install privacy screens like blinds on the exterior facades must discuss this with the landlord in advance.
Tenants Must Grant Landlords Access at Any Time
No, tenants do not have to grant their landlord access to the apartment. At least not if there is no reason for it and the visit was not announced with reasonable notice in advance. Otherwise, tenants have the right of domicile in their own apartment.
Also interesting: What to do if property management or landlord does not respond?
Toilet Paper Must Not Be Thrown in the Toilet
The first question many probably ask is: “Well, where else?” But there are countries where it is indeed uncommon to flush toilet paper down the toilet. These include Greece and Turkey, among others. This is often because the pipes are too narrow and the sewage systems are significantly outdated. In these cases, there is a risk of clogging from toilet paper. In Germany, however, the sewage system is different, and the pipes are much more modern. A fundamental prohibition against disposing of toilet paper in the toilet is generally excessive here.
Mailbox Must Be Emptied Daily by 1 p.m.
Another absurd prohibition that has reportedly existed for tenants, according to the attorney, is emptying the mailbox by 1 p.m. For public mailboxes of well-known delivery services like Deutsche Post, there are indeed exact times when they are emptied. However, this does not apply to private households, as home mailboxes are not intended for sending mail.
Window Cleaning Only on Saturdays Between 10 and 12 a.m.
Windows can be cleaned both on weekdays and weekends. While some rental agreements specify a midday rest period on Sundays when window cleaning is not allowed, tenants are generally allowed to clean their windows whenever they want, not just on Saturdays between 10 and 12 a.m.
Signing the Rental Agreement Despite Absurd Prohibitions?
According to attorney Nicole Mutschke, if you encounter such absurd prohibitions when signing the rental agreement, you can still sign the contract.
“The more absurd the regulation, the more likely you can sign the rental agreement without worrying too much about it. The corresponding clause is most likely ineffective anyway.” It is understandable to worry about potential legal disputes in such cases, but the lawyer also has advice for that: If you want to avoid trouble, you can address the prohibition with the landlord before signing. Even if there is a risk of not getting the apartment in this case.
If changes to the rental agreement arise during the ongoing rental relationship, Nicole Mutschke also recommends seeking a conversation. If such discussions do not lead to a mutual solution, the only option left is to consult a lawyer.