Deadlines for Mediation & Conciliation for Tenants in Austria

What are deadlines in mediation and conciliation?

Deadlines are time limits within which you must respond, submit documents or attend appointments. In mediation and conciliation procedures they determine whether an application is accepted and whether you can later assert rights such as rent reduction ^[1]. Note that there is no single deadline for all cases; often short periods of days or a few weeks apply.

Important deadlines and steps

• Respond within 14 days (days) to a conciliation offer.
• File an application with the conciliation board (file) and attach all relevant forms.
• Collect and document evidence (evidence): photos, messages and billing records.
• Attend an agreed conciliation appointment (hearing) or request a postponement in time.

Which documents are important?

Gather the lease, correspondence with the landlord, photos of defects, invoices and payment receipts. A clear chronological file increases your chances in conciliation. Also note dates and times of conversations.

How do deadlines affect your rights?

If you miss deadlines, claims may be forfeited or delayed. For rental defects, a timely rent reduction may be necessary; if you fail to report defects, you risk disadvantages. Use conciliation early and respect deadlines to avoid additional legal steps ^[2].

FAQ

What should I do if the landlord does not respond to mediation?

Request conciliation in writing and document the dispatch; if no agreement is possible, consider court action or contacting the district courts.

How long does conciliation take?

Duration varies; often it takes weeks to a few months, depending on appointments and case complexity.

Can I reduce rent during conciliation?

For genuine defects, rent reduction is possible if you document defects and observe reporting deadlines.

How-To

1. Collect all evidence: lease, photos, invoices and correspondence.
2. Contact the landlord in writing and propose mediation; observe deadlines.
3. File an application with the conciliation board and attach the collected documents (file) ^[3].
4. Be prepared for the appointment: attend briefly, factually and with complete evidence.

Help and Support / Resources

• RIS — Legal Information System of the Federal Government
• JUSTIZ — Information on courts and procedures
• JustizOnline — Electronic forms

1. [1] RIS — Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG)
2. [2] JUSTIZ — District courts and procedures
3. [3] JustizOnline — Electronic forms