der  Eigenbedarf

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈaɪ̯ɡn̩bəˌdaːrf/

📖 What exactly is "der Eigenbedarf"?

Der Eigenbedarf generally refers to a person's need for something for themselves or for close relatives. The term is most frequently used in German tenancy law (Mietrecht). Here, it describes the legitimate reason for a landlord (Vermieter) to terminate a tenant's (Mieter) lease because they (or a privileged person like a family member) need the rented apartment (Wohnung) themselves.

So, it's about the necessity of self-use of an item, usually an apartment or house, as opposed to letting it to third parties (e.g., tenants) or using it for commercial purposes.

⚠️ Important: A termination due to personal need (Eigenbedarfskündigung) is subject to strict legal requirements (§ 573 para. 2 no. 2 BGB - German Civil Code) and must be well-founded to be valid.

🧐 Grammar of "Eigenbedarf" in Detail

The word "Eigenbedarf" is a masculine noun. Its definite article is der. It is almost exclusively used in the singular.

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

The plural "die Eigenbedarfe" is very rare and is only used when referring to multiple specific, separate instances of personal need.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Vermieter meldete Eigenbedarf für seine Tochter an.
   (The landlord claimed personal need for his daughter.)
2. Der geltend gemachte Eigenbedarf muss gerichtlich überprüft werden.
   (The asserted personal need must be reviewed by the court.)
3. Wir decken unseren Strom zu 80% aus Eigenbedarf durch Solarenergie.
   (We cover 80% of our electricity from personal consumption via solar energy. - Here more general for 'own need')

🗣️ How "Eigenbedarf" is Used

The term "Eigenbedarf" is strongly associated with German tenancy law (Mietrecht). When you hear or read this term, it usually concerns the termination of a rental agreement by the landlord.

• Context of Tenancy Law: The so-called Eigenbedarfskündigung (termination due to personal need) is one of the most common, but also most controversial, types of termination. The landlord must provide plausible reasons why they or a beneficiary (e.g., children, parents, grandchildren, spouse) need the apartment. Pretending personal need (vorgetäuschter Eigenbedarf) can lead to claims for damages.
• More General Context: Less frequently, "Eigenbedarf" is used more generally for the personal need for goods or resources, e.g., for the personal use of self-generated electricity or agricultural products.
• Distinction: It's important to distinguish it from Fremdbedarf (need for third parties, not close relations) or gewerbliche Nutzung (commercial use).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think: DER landlord has DER need (Bedarf). Both the English role (landlord) and the German word for need (Bedarf) can be associated with 'der'. Remember der Eigenbedarf.

Meaning Mnemonic: "Eigenbedarf" contains "eigen", which sounds like 'I-gen' as in 'I generally' need this for myself. The "eigen" part means "own" or "self", emphasizing the personal need.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

🚨 Caution: In a legal context, "Eigenbedarf" is a very specific term. The synonyms are often not directly interchangeable, especially in tenancy law.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Richter den Vermieter: "Sie melden Eigenbedarf für Ihre Katze an?"
Antwortet der Vermieter: "Ja, Herr Richter! Sie braucht dringend ein eigenes Zimmer für ihre Kratzbaum-Sammlung!"

Translation:
The judge asks the landlord: "You're claiming personal need for your cat?"
The landlord replies: "Yes, Your Honor! She urgently needs her own room for her scratching post collection!"

✒️ Poem about Personal Need

Das Haus, die Wohnung, wohlbekannt,
vermietet, fest in Mieters Hand.
Doch plötzlich naht, oh Schreck, oh Graus,
der Eigenbedarf, der Mieter muss raus.

Für Tochter, Sohn, die Oma alt,
der Grund muss stimmen, darf nicht kalt
und vorgeschoben sein, so spricht das Recht,
sonst geht es dem Vermieter schlecht.

Translation:
The house, the flat, a familiar sight,
Rented out, held in tenant's might.
But suddenly approaches, oh dread, oh fright,
The personal need, the tenant must take flight.

For daughter, son, the granny old,
The reason must be true, not cold
And fabricated, so the law does state,
Or else the landlord meets a sorry fate.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Grund, ganz oft genannt,
steh im Gesetz, bin wohlbekannt.
Braucht der Vermieter selbst den Raum,
beend' ich manchen Mietertraum.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I am a reason, often named,
In law I stand, well-acclaimed.
If the landlord needs the space themselves,
I end many a tenant's dream.

What am I?

Solution: Der Eigenbedarf (personal need)

💡 Other Interesting Facts

Word Composition

The word "Eigenbedarf" is composed of:

• eigen: (Adjective) meaning "own", "personal", "self".
• der Bedarf: (Noun) meaning "need", "requirement", "demand".

Together, they form the meaning "own, personal need".

Legal Significance

In the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch - BGB), Eigenbedarf is defined in § 573 para. 2 no. 2 as a legitimate interest of the landlord in terminating the tenancy agreement. This makes it a central concept in residential tenancy law in Germany.