Can a landlord deduct amounts from my rental bond without my permission?

Question

I recently moved out of a unit in Munich, Germany and my landlord deducted the equivalent of US$200 from my US$1200 rental bond.
She claimed that the bathtub and bath tiles were dirty and her 'effort' to clean them up amounted to $200
On the day I left, she came over to show a new tennant around and did not mention anything about the cleanliness of the bathroom.
I was only in the apartment for 3 months, and in my opinion everything was extremly clean and in the same condition that I originally received it in, and definately able to be re-rented to a new tennant without any problems.

I found out about this 3 weeks after I had moved out, as I received an email from her. I advised her that she should have told me that she wasn't happy with the state of the bathroom earlier, and that I would have gotton someone to clean it up.

Does anyone know if she has the right to charge me this under German rent law, and where I could turn to for help. I am back in Australia now.

Answer 1

Wow, that must have been a VERY expensive bottle of tilex! you need to check the rental agreement. If it is stated in their that the owner can deduct move-out cleanup expenses from your bond then you have nothing. A contract is a contract so read carefully.

Answer 2

laws varies from one state to another , heck from city to city it varies!

Answer 3

shouldn't matter what country you are in you have rights you know !!!!!