I've been living in a 75 sqm apartment in Munich for 3 years and my heating costs have gone up again this year. My landlord won't do any modernization, but I'm wondering whether I could install a heat pump myself. Do I need permission for that and roughly how much does something like that cost?
Yes, you definitely need your landlord's permission - that's not optional. Even if he's been reluctant so far, a heat pump is considered a structural alteration and requires his written consent. Without it, you can expect him to require you to remove it or potentially create problems when you get your deposit back. It's worth having a conversation and explaining to him that it also increases the value of his property. Some landlords are more flexible if you make a professional argument.
If he agrees: An air-to-air heat pump (heating only, not cooling) for a 75 sqm apartment will probably cost somewhere between €8,000 and €15,000 net - depending on the model and installation effort. On top of that there may be costs for piping and electrical modifications. That's obviously a decent amount of money, and whether it pays for itself really depends on how much longer you'll be in the apartment and what your current heating costs look like.
Honestly, if the landlord won't cooperate, I'd rather try heating less - better seals on the windows, turn thermostats down, ventilate strategically. That costs much less and works without permission too. A heat pump makes more financial sense in a house you own, where you benefit from lower heating costs long-term.
Your chances are pretty slim, to be honest. You don't technically need permission for a portable heat pump (air heat pump you just set up), but here's the catch: they don't deliver the performance you need in a 75 sqm apartment - they basically just heat individual rooms inadequately or work as a supplement. For real savings on heating, you'd need a new system installed, and for that you definitely need your landlord's permission. That's non-negotiable when it comes to structural changes.
Cost-wise: A decent air heat pump for installation (not the cheap stuff from the hardware store) runs €8,000 - €15,000 plus installation, and in a rental it's often even more expensive because of the outdoor unit and permits. But since your landlord won't cooperate, you've got a bigger problem - you can't just go ahead and do it yourself and pay for it. Some people hope they can remove it later and recoup the cost difference. That's theoretically possible, but practically it's a risk: if something gets damaged during removal or reinstallation, you're paying for it.
The better approach: Document your heating costs carefully and write to your landlord in writing that the heating is no longer economical. In Munich there are sometimes different rules than elsewhere. Some landlords get motivated when the pressure builds - especially if modernization is going to happen anyway at some point. Otherwise you have to be realistic: in a rental apartment with an uncooperative landlord, your options are limited.
I know the problem with rising heating costs well, and with rental apartments it's really frustrating because you can't do much yourself. When it comes to getting permission, here's how I'd see it: You definitely need your landlord's approval for a permanently installed heat pump - that's a fact. But with portable air heat pumps that you just put in a room, it's legally grayer. Technically you should ask whether it's covered in your lease, but many landlords have less of a problem with them because nothing gets altered in the building structure. Still, I'd ask beforehand to avoid trouble later.
When it comes to price and practicality though, things get tricky: A portable unit to set up costs between 500 and 1500 euros, depending on how powerful it needs to be. But honestly - for 75 square meters with heating already in place, a device like that mostly just helps you heat a single room. It doesn't replace your main heating, and the electricity costs won't necessarily fall below what you're paying for heating now if your landlord has an old oil boiler or something similar.
My advice: First talk to your landlord about whether he'd cover a proper solution - that's his job. If not, a mobile heat pump makes more sense as supplemental heating for your favorite room, not as an overall money-saver. Alternatively, cheaper things like better window insulation or thermostatic radiator valves might help more.
A portable heat pump is legally actually the only option without permission, but here's the thing everyone else is missing: most mobile units need an exhaust hose running outside, and in a rental apartment you can't just drill a hole in the facade. If your window can't be sealed properly or your landlord forbids window modifications, the whole thing won't work right. A realistic alternative would be to pressure your landlord with cost-savings arguments - as energy prices keep rising, a heat pump will eventually become more profitable for him than your threat to move out, especially with renovation subsidies available.
In a rental apartment in Munich, your situation is admittedly quite limited, but there's one practical angle the others haven't mentioned: before you even think about costs (which for a permanently installed system easily run 10,000 - 15,000 euros or more), you should talk to your landlord about modernization - not just in general terms, but by pointing to rising energy prices and the fact that modernization also increases their property value. Some landlords will act if they see tenants leaving otherwise.
If that doesn't work out, your only option for now is a portable air heat pump, and yeah, it needs an exhaust hose through the window - that's inconvenient and the efficiency in a 75-square-meter apartment just isn't convincing. Realistically speaking: it's probably not worth it. Better to cut your consumption another way - properly sealing your window frames, smart thermostats, or even switching to a cheaper provider if that's still an option for you.
For a 75-square-meter apartment in Munich, unfortunately a portable heat pump won't make much of a difference - these devices work inefficiently in larger rooms and you'll end up paying almost as much in electricity as you save on heating costs. It would be much better to confront your landlord directly with the rising heating costs and show him the numbers demonstrating that a modern heating system (whether gas condensing or heat pump) is cheaper long-term for both sides - some landlords only respond when they realize it makes economic sense.
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