Practical checklist to obtain the seller’s municipal arrears and obligations certificates (Abgabenauskunft) before signing

What the 'Abgabenauskunft' (Anliegerbescheinigung) is

In German practice the document foreign buyers see called an "Abgabenauskunft" is normally issued by the municipality as an Anliegerbescheinigung—a written municipal statement of which property‑related public charges and contributions attach to a parcel. Its purpose is to tell a prospective owner which municipal, parcel‑bound levies (for example street/ development charges) exist now or may be levied in future. Municipal portals describe it as the official way to learn which "grundstücksbezogenen Abgaben" are associated with a plot. ([verwaltung.bund.de](https://verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsverzeichnis/de/leistung/99012003012000/herausgeber/HE-8960274/region/060000000000?utm_source=openai))

Because municipalities issue the certificate under local rules, the name or exact scope varies by state and city. Many local administrations explicitly link the Anliegerbescheinigung to the rules in the Baugesetzbuch (e.g. §§ 123–135 BauGB) and state municipal‑charges law (Kommunalabgabengesetz, KAG). The Munich example form cites Art. 5a KAG i.V.m. §§ 123 ff. BauGB as the legal basis for issuing the certificate. (Stand: 12.01.2026). ([stadt.muenchen.de](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Baureferat/beitraege_gebuehren/Formular-Anliegerbescheinigung----ausfuellbar---%28Stand-14.01.2026%29.pdf))

What the certificate typically discloses

Typical items named (municipal practice varies) include: Grundsteuer (property tax); Erschließungs‑ und Straßenbaubeiträge (new‑street or connection contributions); Abwasser‑, Niederschlagswasser‑ und Abfallgebühren; Beitragsansprüche aus Sanierungsgebieten; Umlegungsausgleichsleistungen and bodenschutzrechtliche Ausgleichsbeträge. The federal service description and state portals list these categories as the usual content of an Anliegerbescheinigung. Expect the certificate to state whether sums are "bereits geleistet", "offen" or "künftig zu erheben" for the parcel. ([verwaltung.bund.de](https://verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsverzeichnis/de/leistung/99012003012000/herausgeber/HE-8960274/region/060000000000?utm_source=openai))

Important: municipalities do not all use identical headings. Some certificates focus only on the er chließungs‑/Straßenbaubeiträge, others add a full list of local fees. Read the wording carefully: a statement that no Erschließungsbeiträge are currently levied does not legally guarantee that third‑party claims (bank mortgages, private contractor liens, outstanding house‑association charges) do not exist. ([bayernportal.de](https://www.bayernportal.de/dokumente/leistung/8867365689169?behoerde=88887100385&contrast=high&gemeinde=666856454699&plz=80331&utm_source=openai))

Where and how to order (step‑by‑step)

1) Identify the correct municipal office: the local "Kämmerei/ Kasse" or the department for "Erschließung/Beiträge/Abgaben" (contact details are on the city website). Big cities provide a downloadable form; Munich publishes a form and an application email (anliegerauskunft@muenchen.de). The Munich form lists required data and fees. ([stadt.muenchen.de](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Baureferat/beitraege_gebuehren/Formular-Anliegerbescheinigung----ausfuellbar---%28Stand-14.01.2026%29.pdf))

2) Provide precise identifiers: Gemarkung, Flurstück (cadastre parcel) and—if available—the Grundbuchblatt number. Municipalities routinely ask for proof of interest (ownership or a contractual pre‑agreement) and a Flurkartenauszug. The federal service description confirms ownership proof and a Flurkartenauszug are usual required attachments. ([verwaltung.bund.de](https://verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsverzeichnis/de/leistung/99012003012000/herausgeber/HE-8960274/region/060000000000?utm_source=openai))

3) Submit the request and pay the fee: submission is commonly possible by post or e‑mail; some towns accept online portals. Fees vary—Munich charges €25, other places differ. Processing times are typically short; some state portals and municipal services report circa 1 week. Ask for a dated, signed original or an electronically signed PDF so you have a clear issuance date. ([stadt.muenchen.de](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Baureferat/beitraege_gebuehren/Formular-Anliegerbescheinigung----ausfuellbar---%28Stand-14.01.2026%29.pdf))

4) Ask for explicit scope: when you request the certificate, state you want all "grundstücksbezogenen Abgaben" and whether the municipality will list "bereits geleistete, offene und künftig zu erhebende" Forderungen. That avoids a partial answer limited to one contribution type. ([bayernportal.de](https://www.bayernportal.de/dokumente/leistung/8867365689169?behoerde=88887100385&contrast=high&gemeinde=666856454699&plz=80331&utm_source=openai))

Practical checklist before signing (one‑page)

- Get exact parcel ID (Gemarkung/Flurstück) and Grundbuchblatt from seller. Ask seller to sign a short authorisation if you apply on their behalf. - Order an Anliegerbescheinigung from the municipality identified above; attach proof of interest and a Flurkartenauszug. Request full scope and a dated, signed response. ([verwaltung.bund.de](https://verwaltung.bund.de/leistungsverzeichnis/de/leistung/99012003012000/herausgeber/HE-8960274/region/060000000000?utm_source=openai)) - Confirm fee and expected turnaround (Munich: €25; many towns ~1 week). Budget delay clauses into your timetable if you need the certificate before notarisation. ([stadt.muenchen.de](https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/Home/Stadtverwaltung/Baureferat/beitraege_gebuehren/Formular-Anliegerbescheinigung----ausfuellbar---%28Stand-14.01.2026%29.pdf)) - Independently obtain a current Grundbuchauszug and check Baulastenverzeichnis and, for condominiums, the Hausverwalter’s statement on Hausgeld‑rückstände. The notary will examine and report on burdens (Vormerkung, Löschungsbedarf, Vorkaufsrecht). An Anliegerbescheinigung does not replace those searches. ([notar-fetsch.de](https://www.notar-fetsch.de/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Notar-Dr-Fetsch-Merkblatt-Immobilien-Kaufvertrag.pdf)) - If the certificate shows open municipal claims, ask your notary or a German lawyer how to: demand seller settlement before signing, require an escrow clause, or list charges as a condition precedent in the notarised contract. Do not rely on informal seller assurances. (This is a legal question—consult a notary or Rechtsanwalt.)

Risks and final recommendations

An Anliegerbescheinigung is a useful, often fast municipal statement, but it is not a comprehensive title search. It usually covers municipal, parcel‑bound levies; it may not show private claims, mortgage encumbrances registered in the land register, contractual obligations in the building‘s owners’ association, or undisclosed utility liens. The notary’s role is to coordinate the title, Vorkaufsrecht checks and clearing of registered charges before the purchase money is paid. Consult the notary and a German lawyer if the certificate identifies material open claims. ([notar-fetsch.de](https://www.notar-fetsch.de/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Notar-Dr-Fetsch-Merkblatt-Immobilien-Kaufvertrag.pdf))

If you are outside Germany, instruct your agent or lawyer to order the certificate early (at least 2–3 weeks before the notary appointment), ask the seller for an authorisation if needed, and include a contract clause requiring a clean‑up or escrow for any confirmed municipal arrears. For legal structuring, tax consequences or escrow wording consult a German notary or an attorney—not this guide.