Rent arrears may be covered if this is necessary to ensure you have a place to live.

If you receive basic income support for job seekers and are at risk of losing your apartment due to rent arrears, the responsible local job center or the responsible joint agency may, in certain cases and upon application, provide benefits to help you pay off your debts. You will generally receive this assistance in the form of a loan.

You may be eligible for this support if you are unable to pay the rent arrears with your own funds or with help from third parties. The decision on whether you will receive support is always made on a case-by-case basis, during which officials assess whether all requirements for assuming your rent arrears (in the form of a loan) have been met. Additionally, they investigate why the rent arrears occurred.

If your local Job Center or joint municipal agency determines that you will use the money for something other than paying off your rent debt, the payment will be made directly to your landlord.

This is particularly the case if

• there are rent arrears that have led to the termination of the lease,
• electricity or gas bills have not been paid, resulting in your electricity or gas being shut off,
• you are unable to use the money to pay off your rent arrears due to illness or addiction issues, or
• there are indications of debt.

There is no legal entitlement to have your rent arrears covered.

• The cost of your current housing is reasonable.
• Without this support, you are at risk of becoming homeless.
• By paying off your rent arrears, you can still prevent the eviction notice from taking effect and secure your housing.
• Your landlord has agreed in writing to continue the lease.
• There is no way for you to resolve this emergency on your own, for example, through savings or by arranging an installment plan with your landlord.
• Future rent payments are secured, for example, through direct payments from the responsible benefits agency.

There is no deadline. However, you should contact the Jobcenter as soon as possible if you have fallen behind on rent or are at risk of becoming homeless.

• Request for Payment of Rent Arrears
• As proof of the rent arrears: a current statement of claims or rent account statement;
• Reminder notice, notice of termination, or eviction lawsuit
• Lease agreement or rental certificate
• Utility bill
• Proof of income for all persons living in the household for the last 3 months, such as pay stubs
• Consecutive bank statements for the last 3 months
• If applicable, a refusal of an installment payment plan by the landlord or a bank
• If applicable, any additional documents required for the decision

There are no costs involved.