Registering a Small Business in Your Apartment – Landlord Approval

Can you run a business (Gewerbe) from your apartment? Yes, but with conditions:

• Office work only (online shop, accounting, consulting)

• No regular customer visits

• No structural changes

• No disturbance to neighbors (noise, smell)

Do you need landlord approval? Yes, mandatory for Gewerbeanmeldung. Rental contracts are for residential use, so written approval is required.

Sample wording: “I, [landlord’s name], landlord of the apartment at [address], hereby grant permission to tenant [your name] to operate a small business at this address and register it with the Gewerbeamt.”

Consequences without approval:

• Rejection by Bürgeramt

• Breach of rental contract → warning or termination

• Tax office may demand proof of legal use

Possible exceptions (risky):

• Freelancer only with laptop → depends on state

• Gewerbe without mail/customers → legally risky

• Virtual office address → no landlord approval needed