Tenant Help for Short-Term Rentals in Austria
Many tenants in Austria are unsure about their rights and obligations when it comes to short-term or holiday rentals like Airbnb. This article explains clearly when your apartment is affected as a regular rental purpose, how termination and subletting rules as well as reporting duties work, and what steps you can take if neighbors or landlords cause problems. You will receive practical advice on documenting incidents, communicating with the landlord, and finding local support. We also explain when a court or district authority can be involved and which official bodies can help. The goal is that, as a tenant, you know how to protect your rights in Austria and which next steps make sense.
Understanding short-term rental
Short-term or holiday rental means that an apartment is rented out temporarily to changing guests. As a tenant you should check whether your rental agreement allows subletting or requires specific permissions. If your landlord is offering apartments for short-term rental, this can affect your community, safety and use of shared spaces.
What rights do tenants have?
In general, the provisions of tenancy law (e.g. MRG) apply to many rental relationships in Austria. Questions about protection from termination, subletting and the rental purpose can be decided by tenancy law.[1] If you are unexpectedly affected by short-term guests or noise nuisance, document the date, time and type of problem with photos or messages.
Practical steps for tenants
Proceed systematically: first inform the landlord in writing, collect evidence and check your rental agreement. If necessary, seek advice from official bodies or prepare a formal complaint.
FAQ
- Is subletting to tourists generally allowed?
- It depends on the rental agreement and local rules; subletting is often only allowed with the landlord's consent and may trigger reporting duties.
- Can I take action against noise or repeated disturbances by short-term guests?
- Yes. Document disturbances, inform the landlord in writing and contact the municipality or the district court if no solution is found.
- Which official bodies can help with legal steps?
- Information on laws can be found in RIS, and court procedures and forms are available via JustizOnline and Justiz.gv.at.[2][3]
How-To
- Contact the landlord in writing first and describe the problem precisely with date and time.
- Collect evidence: photos, messages, witness statements and an incident log.
- Check the rental agreement for subletting and termination clauses and note relevant paragraphs.
- Seek advice from official bodies or a tenants' association if an amicable solution is not possible.
- If necessary, file a claim or complaint at the competent district court or use JustizOnline forms.[2]
Help and Support / Resources
- [1] RIS – Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG)
- [2] Justiz.gv.at – Court information
- [3] JustizOnline – Forms and e‑services
