Especially in the warm summer months, many tenants use the balcony as a holiday replacement. But on some points, caution is advised if you do not want to get into trouble with your neighbors or the landlord, you need to use your balcony properly.
For many tenants, the balcony is considered an extension of the living space to the outside. After all, it is also part of the apartment, and is used extensively, especially in summer. In general, every tenant has the right to use the balcony as he wishes. But some points always lead to conflicts with the neighbors, or in the worst case with the landlord. In most cases it is about grilling, planting or drying the laundry.
Basically, a little rule of thumb helps to avoid discussion: what would annoy me about my neighbor’s behavior on the balcony? If you are acting on this premise and in doubt ask your neighbor or landlord, you should be on the safe side to use your balcony properly.
Barbecue on the balcony: allowed or forbidden?
If you want to barbecue on the balcony of a multi-family house, should pay attention to the development of odors. Mostly it is unavoidable that the smoke then pulls into open windows, to the displeasure of the neighbors. It is the barbecues, as long as it is not otherwise in the house rules, not in principle on the balcony prohibited. But already because of the possible fire hazard you should refrain from grilling with the charcoal grill to use your balcony properly.
Better is the barbecue with the electric grill. There is no carbon smoke, and the smell is not so penetrating. But again, you should first take a look at the house rules. In an emergency, a violation can lead to a warning and in case of recurrence even to a termination without notice by the landlord.
Plants on the balcony: flower boxes and watering
Many tenants also use their balcony as a mini garden, especially in the city. But also in the planting there are a few rules to consider. Some plants are even forbidden: which ones are, read here.
If you water your plants on the balcony, which is what you should do in the summer, you should take care of your neighbors. Because no one is happy when it drips down from the top during the relaxed afternoon on the balcony. Therefore, carefully water your plants, preferably in small quantities during the day. Alternatively, you can also use an automatic irrigation solution.
Even when planting with flower boxes, you as a tenant should make sure that they are permanently installed and can not fall even in wind and weather. It is therefore best to attach the planters to the inside of the railing and secure them with cable ties. If it happens that a falling flower box injures persons or damages objects, the renter is liable for the damage.
Dry laundry on the balcony
It is not only practical to dry your laundry on the balcony, also legally speaking generally does not mind. But you should make sure that the laundry is not visible from the street and the drying rack protrudes over the edge of the balcony. This could disturb the landlord for visual reasons and he can ask them to refrain from doing so.
Here, too, the look in the house rules can be worthwhile: In some cases, the drying of the laundry on the balcony is regulated there, especially in large textiles such as sheets. The attachment of a clothes horse on the house facade is only allowed after consultation with the landlord, otherwise you would damage his property. As always applies here: Before asking saves the trouble afterwards.
Gerhardt Richter is a writer and a trainer at trade technical colleges, specializing in carpentry, plumbing, mechanics and construction.
