As of: April 9, 2024, 7:35 a.m
By: Andrea Stettner
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For most people, the balcony is an oasis of well-being. But regardless of whether you are a tenant or an owner – not everything that seems common on the balcony is actually allowed.
In summer, when the days get warmer again, many people use their balcony as a substitute for their living room: Here you can eat, grill or create a small green oasis. But be careful: some things that seem common are forbidden on the balcony.
1. Grilling on the balcony
A barbecue on the balcony is generally permitted. However, grilling can be prohibited by rental agreement or in the house rules. Anyone who ignores the ban faces, in the worst case scenario, dismissal. In addition, there is often a clause in the rental agreement that prohibits grilling with charcoal. The associated smoke development could disturb residents.
In general, when grilling, even in your own garden, you should be considerate when it comes to noise and odors. If soot and smoke are concentrated in the neighbors' living rooms and bedrooms, the griller is committing an administrative offense under the Immission Control Act. Before neighbors call the police, they should try to talk to the grill master. From 10 p.m., when the night quiet applies, the barbecue should be moved indoors anyway.
Real grill flavor without smoke
A new grilling trend is causing a stir: charcoal grills that hardly smoke and are therefore suitable for balconies. In the Lotus grill
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Are you still missing the right recipe ideas for your BBQ? We present the best barbecue books for the summer here.
Whether juicy steaks or crunchy vegetables: grilling on the balcony is not always allowed. © Westend61/Imago
2. Install the awning on the balcony
If you want to attach an awning to the balcony and have to drill into the outside wall or the balcony above, you are making a structural change. However, these are prohibited if they have not been agreed with the landlord. Alternatively, tenants can install clamp awnings that are simply clamped between the floor and ceiling of the balcony.
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Clamp awning without drilling
The high-quality clamp awning (promotional link) is ideal for your balcony and offers ideal sun and privacy protection.
3. Drying clothes on the balcony
Drying laundry on the balcony saves energy and the laundry smells nice and fresh again after a bath in the sun. In principle, tenants are not allowed to dry their “small laundry” (i.e. T-shirts, underwear, socks, etc.) on the balcony or in the apartment. You can even use a clothesline for this purpose. However, when drying large items of laundry such as bed sheets, it is worth taking a look at the house rules - specific rules can be set for this.
Also make sure that the laundry does not protrude over the edge of the balcony and does not disturb other tenants. If you want to attach a clothes horse to the house facade, you should discuss this structural change with your landlord in advance.
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4. Smoking on the balcony
Smoking on the balcony is only permitted as long as it does not disturb the neighbors. If they feel significantly affected by the smoke, smoking can be restricted to certain times according to a court ruling (file number V ZR 110/14). An individual smoking ban can also be specified in the rental agreement in the form of a clause, which also applies to the balcony.
Editor's note: This text has already appeared in the past. Many readers were particularly interested in it. That's why we're offering it again.
5. Not securing flower boxes adequately
If you want to fulfill your dream of a small green oasis on your balcony, you must definitely follow a few rules: Make sure that the flower boxes are adequately secured and cannot fall off the balcony, even in wind and weather. You should also be considerate of your neighbors when watering flowers and make sure that excessive water does not drip down. You should also avoid plants that spread excessively: climbing plants, for example, can change the appearance of the facade in such a way that it is tantamount to a structural change.