Landlord responsibility.

Hi there,

I just moved out of my flat in Stuttgart last month. I had to return to my primary residence in the U.K.

I paid my last month's rent before I left and did a walk-through with the landlord.

The only issue which was brought to my attention by the landlord a couple of weeks later was about the balcony. The pigeons which the landlord tried to keep out by using a netting in April had made a mess ( hatched newhorns which remained and got caught beneath the netting causing the mess).

The landlord said it was my responsibility to clean up after the pigeons so he is holding a portion of my security deposit (€500), which he said he can do up to 3 months.

I'm not a member of the local tenant association.

Is it true the tenant is liable for pigeon mess outside a flat in Germany? Also, can you recommend an advocate which can help with my situation at this time?

Many thanks,

Brendan