Changes to the Residential Lease Act (AHVL)

On October 1, 2026, a revised law will take effect. Its purpose is to clarify the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords. Below is a summary of the most significant changes from the tenant’s perspective.

1. The landlord’s notice period will change in new rental agreements:

For rental agreements entered into on or after October 1, 2026:

• 4 months if the tenancy has lasted for at least two consecutive years.
• 3 months if the tenancy has lasted for less than two years.

For rental agreements entered into before October 1, 2026, the notice periods under current law will continue to apply:

• 6 months if the tenancy has lasted at least one year.
• 3 months if the tenancy has lasted less than one year

The tenant’s notice period remains unchanged: for a rental agreement valid until further notice, it is 1 calendar month.

2. Termination of a rental agreement is also possible for an extremely compelling reason

The landlord’s right to terminate a rental agreement is expanded. In the future, a rental agreement may also be terminated on the basis of other extremely compelling reasons.

Such reasons may include, for example, a serious act of violence in the immediate vicinity of the apartment, residential building, or property; persistent failure to pay rent; or disruptive behavior.

As a general rule, the tenant must be given a written warning before the rental agreement is terminated.

3. A deadline is set for the return of the security deposit

In the future, the security deposit must be returned to the tenant or the landlord must notify the tenant of the retention of the deposit within 14 days from the end of the rental agreement.

4. Obligation to Report Persons Living in the Apartment

The tenant must notify the landlord of who is living in the apartment and on what grounds they are entitled to live there.

The notification must include:

• the number of people living in the apartment
• each person’s right to reside in the apartment, such as a spouse, child, or subtenant
  for adult residents, their name, date of birth, and contact information.

This information must be updated whenever there are changes in the occupancy status.

This information is needed, for example, for apartment maintenance, communication, resolving disturbances, and fulfilling the landlord’s legal obligations. Failure to comply with the reporting requirement may result in termination of the lease agreement.

5. Smoking in the Apartment and on the Balcony

• Previously, smoking had to be specifically prohibited in the rental agreement, but following a change in the law, smoking is now generally prohibited inside the apartment, on the balcony, and in any other private space belonging to the apartment.
• The smoking ban also applies to e-cigarettes and other tobacco-like products.
• The smoking ban applies to the interior of the apartment, the balcony belonging to the apartment, and any other indoor or outdoor areas associated with the apartment.
• This change applies to both existing rental agreements and those entered into after October 1, 2026.

6. Change in Move-Out Date

• Going forward, the move-out date will generally be the expiration date of the rental agreement.
• At POAS, the move-out date will not change. In accordance with the terms of the rental agreement, the move-out date is the first business day following the end of the agreement.