I rented my house for 5 years to a German diplomat, and he just left without paying the last month!?

Question

I sent a letter to the German consul, and no answer.

My lawyer says that as a diplomat there is nothing I can do, but he signed a contract!!!

This contract gave him the right to leave my house before due date if, and only if, he was transferred out of the country; but the same contract stated that he could not use the deposit to pay for the last month’s rent, which he did! I mean he used the contract to his advantage when it suited him, and by this he admitted there is a contract, didn’t he?

Anybody knows whom I can contact in the German government about this?

Answer 1

Even though it is correct that there is no legal way to make him pay, the german diplomatic corps should be interested in settling this.

You could write an eMail to the next embassy (not the consulate) and ask how you can file a complaint against him.If that doesn't work, write an email to the Foreign offices helpdesk in germany and ask how to officially complain.Link below in english :

http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/en/...

If that doesn't work, go to a newspaper and tell them.

Answer 2

If you are in the US, you would contact the Department of State office which routinely handles such matters for people trying to collect debts/damages from foreign representatives.  If you are not in the US, then I recommend that you contact the head representative at the nearest German mission - perhaps you could embarrass your former tenant into doing the right thing.

Answer 3

You had to learn your lesson the hard way, didn't you?

Diplomats think they're special and for some silly reason,

the U.S. treats them that way too. They get out of parking

tickets, speeding tickets, and other perks. Sorry, but I

have no idea whom you should contact.....maybe your

State Legislature might help you.

Answer 4

Look up diplomatic immunity.  Diplomats are immune from prosecution for crimes commited on our land, unless their government specifically permits prosecution.  

As far as liability for the contract goes, it's exceptionally unlikely you will recover anything.  It's just not worth going overseas to enforce a judgment you receive from a court over here - assuming they would even recognize a judgment from a foreign court as being valid in Germany.

Just be thankful they didn't trash the place on the way out, and never rent to a diplomat again.

Answer 5

Take it to the UN I'm sure they will pass 14 resolutions before the US steps in and invades Germany on your behalf!

Answer 6

If you are an American, and this happened in the United States, contact the US State Department.  They've got people whose only job is to clean up messes like this.