Introduction

At OH-Stay.com, we have compiled this resource to assist our hosts in understanding their responsibilities and to offer a general overview of the legal, regulatory, and practical considerations pertinent to hosting. Hosts are required to adhere to our Hosting Standards and to ensure full compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to their specific location and situation. Please note that this article is not comprehensive and does not constitute legal or tax advice. We advise hosts to conduct their own due diligence, as the information provided may not be updated in real time. Ultimate responsibility for verifying, interpreting, and complying with all information presented herein rests with the host.

Table of contents

Health and Cleanliness
Local Regulations
National Taxes
Regulations and Permissions
Safety
Good Manners
Insurance
Other Hosting Information

Health and Cleanliness

Information about OH-Stay.com's cleaning protocols can be found in our Responsible Hosting Guide.

Further recommendations on cleaning
• Robert Koch Institute surface cleaning guidance: RKI
• Environmental cleaning & disinfection guidance: ECDC
• Chemical hazard symbols & safe use of cleaning agents (consumer advice): Verbraucherzentrale
• General COVID-19 information from the Federal Ministry of Health: BMG

National Taxes

Taxation is a multifaceted area, and your specific tax obligations can vary significantly based on your individual circumstances. We strongly recommend that you research your responsibilities thoroughly or consult with a qualified tax professional for personalized advice.

Generally, any money you earn as a Host on OH-Stay.com is considered taxable income. This income may be subject to various taxes, including, but not limited to, rental tax, income tax, or VAT. File and manage returns via ELSTER and consult the Federal Central Tax Office: BZSt (English) or BZSt (Deutsch). As a guideline, German individual tax returns are typically due by 31 July of the following year (unless extended by the government or a tax advisor arrangement applies).

DAC7 – EU Data Sharing
DAC7 (EU Council Directive 2021/514) requires platforms like OH-Stay.com to collect and report taxpayer information for certain sellers. See the directive text: EU DAC7 and German implementation information for platform operators: BZSt – Platforms.

Reporting obligation

Germany requires accommodation providers offering short-term stays (3 months or less) to collect and retain specific guest information using registration forms (“Meldeschein”). Legal basis: Bundesmeldegesetz (BMG). You may purchase preprinted forms or generate your own.

If you keep a guest register, you must also comply with data-protection rules under the GDPR. Good practices include limiting processing to legally required data and deleting guest data after the applicable retention period. You can obtain further guidance from your state data-protection authority or the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection: BfDI.

Regulations and Permissions

It's crucial to verify your eligibility to host on your property. Potential restrictions may include contractual agreements, legal statutes, and community regulations. For comprehensive information regarding regulations, restrictions, and obligations relevant to your circumstances, please consult with a legal professional or local authority. This section offers general information on hosting permissions as a preliminary resource.

Contractual agreements and permits
Sometimes leases, contracts, building regulations, and community rules have restrictions against subletting or hosting. Review any contracts you’ve signed or contact your landlord, community council, or other authority. Where appropriate, you may be able to add an addendum clarifying responsibilities and liabilities.

Mortgage restrictions
If your property has a mortgage (or any form of loan), check with the lender to make sure that there aren’t restrictions against subletting or hosting.

Subsidized housing restrictions
Subsidized housing usually has rules that prohibit subletting without permission. Check with your housing authority or housing association if you live in a subsidized housing community and are interested in becoming a host.

Housemates
If you share your home with others, consider making a formal agreement with your housemates to outline expectations (frequency of hosting, guest etiquette, revenue sharing, etc.).

EU consumer protection law
When you commercially offer services online, you must provide specific information to consumers. See the European Commission’s overview: Consumer rights.

Local Regulations

Select a location below to read city-, county- or region-specific info.
Aachen • Bad Kissingen • Berlin • Bonn • Chemnitz • Cologne • Dortmund • Dresden • Düsseldorf • Erlangen • Esslingen am Neckar • Frankfurt • Freiburg • Halle (Saale) • Hamburg • Hannover • Heidelberg • Konstanz • Leipzig • Mannheim • Munich • Münster • Nuremberg • Pirna • Potsdam • Regensburg • Rheingau • Stuttgart • Tübingen • Wiesbaden

Safety

We care about the safety of hosts and their guests. You can improve your guests’ peace of mind by providing a few simple preparations like emergency instructions and noting any potential hazards.

Emergency contact information
Include a contact list with the following phone numbers: local emergency number 112, the number for the nearest hospital, your contact number, and a backup contact. Guests can also contact you using OH-Stay.com messages.

Medical supplies
Keep a first-aid kit and tell your guests where it is. Check it regularly so you can restock supplies if they run out.

Fire prevention
If you have gas appliances, follow applicable safety regulations and ensure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Provide a fire extinguisher and maintain it regularly.

Exits
Ensure you have a clearly marked fire escape route. Post a map of the route so it’s easy for guests to see.

Hazard prevention
Inspect your home for trip/fall risks and remove or mark them clearly; fix exposed wires; ensure stairs are safe with railings; remove or lock up any objects that may be dangerous to guests.

Child safety
Some guests travel with young family members and need to understand if your home is right for them. You can use the Additional notes section of Listing details in your OH-Stay.com account to indicate potential hazards or that your home isn’t suitable for children and infants.

Climate control
Make sure your home is properly ventilated; provide instructions for safe use of heating/air-conditioning; check that the thermostat works and show guests where to find it; service appliances regularly.

Courtesy

Part of being a responsible host is helping your guests understand best practices for interacting with your community. When you communicate local rules and customs with your guests, you help create a great experience for everyone.

Building rules
If your building has common spaces or shared amenities, let guests know the rules for those places.

House rules
Include your house rules in the Additional notes section of Listing details in your OH-Stay.com account. Guests appreciate clear expectations up front.

Neighbors
It’s usually a good idea to let your neighbors know if you’re planning to host so they can share any concerns.

Noise
Set quiet-hours policies; if needed, restrict parties, unregistered guests, or pets to limit disturbances.

Parking
Explain building and neighborhood parking rules (assigned spaces, street-cleaning schedules, overnight restrictions).

Pets
Check lease/building rules. If you allow pets, note exercise areas, waste-disposal guidance, and a nearby kennel as a backup plan.

Privacy
Always respect your guests’ privacy and comply with applicable rules on surveillance devices and data protection.

Smoking
If you don't allow smoking, post signs. If you do allow smoking, provide ashtrays in designated areas.

Insurance

Work with your insurance agent or carrier to determine what kind of obligations, limits, and coverage are required for your specific circumstances. We strongly encourage all hosts to review and understand the terms of their insurance policy coverage. Not all insurance plans will cover damage or loss of property caused by a guest who books your accommodation.

Liability and basic coverage
Review your homeowner’s or renter’s policy with your insurance agent or carrier to make sure your listing has adequate liability coverage and property protection.

Important: Hosts are solely responsible for their conduct and compliance. OH-Stay.com does not control individual host behaviour and is not liable for their actions. Non-compliance may result in suspension or removal. OH-Stay.com is not responsible for the accuracy of information on third-party sites linked in this resource.