Every two years the City of Munich has to survey the average rental prices within the city. The next survey is set for January 2016 and will be carried out by the Market Research Institute TNS Infratest. The result of the survey is the biannual “Mietspiegel” which determines the "usual local comparative rent" within respective parts of the city. The current Mietspiegel sets the average rent in Munich at 10.73 euros per square meter.

The Mietspiegel has gained on importance for landlords and tenants alike since this August and the implementation of the “Mietbremse” (rent brake). It has earlier only been used when the rent was raised in an existing lease to determine the highest possible rent raise in the respective part of the city. Now, the Mietspiegel is also relevant for new leases. The rent for a new tenant can only be up to 10 percent over the Mietspiegel level (except for rents in new buildings – first time use).

Ahead of next year’s survey, Munich’s landlord lobby is questioning the results of the last survey and the methods used to determine the average rents, you can probably guess why. They demand to see the figures and the methods used, and are ready to move to court.

You can read more about the joys of finding an apartment in Munich here.