Berlin court bans Immobilienscout24’s “SCHUFA‑BonitätsCheck” ads

The Landgericht Berlin has ruled that Immobilien Scout GmbH (Immobilienscout24) misled users with advertising for a paid “SCHUFA‑BonitätsCheck” and mishandled personal data in a case brought by Verbraucherzentrale.

Key points

• Immobilienscout24 offered a paid SCHUFA credit check (~30 €) via its platform; the court found the advertising misleading and prohibited the practice.
• The court also objected to how user data was processed, including use of a “self‑disclosure” form without proper legal basis or consent obligations.
• The ruling strengthens consumer protection for apartment seekers and limits practices that can exploit renters’ urgency.

What this means for renters

You cannot be compelled to purchase or provide paid third‑party reports as a precondition for renting; platforms must respect data‑protection rules when collecting information.

Sources

• Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband — case summary
• Manager Magazin — coverage

Share your thoughts or experiences below — have you been pressured to buy credit checks when looking for a home?