General Terms and Conditions of Business (GTCs) for accommodation contracts of "Haus der Jugend Frankfurt e.V."
hereinafter: Haus der Jugend
Scope of application
These GTCs apply to all contracts for the accommodation of guests at the Haus der Jugend ("Accommodation Contracts"), as well as all related services and supplies provided by the Haus der Jugend.
These GTCs do not apply to package holidays as defined in § 651a of the German Civil Code (BGB).
The term "Accommodation Contract" encompasses and replaces the following terms: lodging contract, guest accommodation contract, and Haus der Jugend room contract.
The guest may only sublet or relet the rooms provided, or use them for purposes other than accommodation, with prior written consent (electronic communications suffice) from Haus der Jugend. Should Haus der Jugend withhold its consent, this only entitles the guest to terminate the contract if they are a consumer (§13 BGB) and the Haus der Jugend cannot justify its decision on the basis of an important reason.
Any general terms and conditions of business on the part of the guest shall only apply if this has been expressly agreed in writing (electronic communications suffice).
In cases where specific terms deviating from these GTCs have been agreed upon in the Accommodation Contract, those terms shall take precedence over the GTCs.
Admission requirements
To stay at Haus der Jugend, membership in the German Youth Hostel Association (DJH) or another association of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) is required. Individual guests and families can purchase membership directly at Haus der Jugend.
Groups with DJH or IYHF membership will be admitted if accompanied by at least one responsible adult. The accompanying persons must stay overnight in the youth hostel. They are the responsible contact persons for Haus der Jugend in all organisational matters.
Proof of membership must be provided at the latest upon arrival, but before admission to Haus der Jugend. Until such proof is provided, Haus der Jugend reserves the right to deny accommodation and any associated services or deliveries.
Minors
For the purposes of these GTCs, minors are individuals under the age of 18. Guests under 14 years of age will only be accommodated if accompanied by a parent/guardian or an adult with supervisory authority.
For minors aged 14 and over travelling alone, a written declaration of consent from the legal guardian is required before arrival.
In emergencies, Haus der Jugend has the right to contact the guardians or group leaders and to take necessary action.
Registration/conclusion of contract
Guests must register in writing (e.g., by fax, email – electronic communications suffice) or via the available online systems.
The registration of individual guests, families, and groups of up to 10 guests becomes binding upon confirmation by Haus der Jugend (acceptance). Confirmation can be made in writing (whereby electronic communications suffice, e.g., by email) or verbally.
Groups of 11 or more will receive a contract offer with an option date by which written confirmation (acceptance) must be received by Haus der Jugend in order for the accommodation agreement to be valid.
Prices/services/payment terms
Haus der Jugend undertakes to keep the rooms or beds booked by the guest available and to provide the agreed services.
The guest is obliged to pay the prices applicable for the accommodation and the additional services used. Prices are based on the current price list or the accommodation contract.
The agreed prices include the VAT applicable at the time the contract is concluded. If the legal VAT rate changes between conclusion of the contract and the start of the stay, the price will be adjusted accordingly — unless the VAT rate decreases, the guest is a business customer (§14 BGB), or more than four months lie between the date of the contract and the start of the stay.
If local municipal taxes (e.g., tourism levies) are charged at the location of Haus der Jugend, these are not included in the prices agreed for the services and must be paid by the guest in addition.
Individual guests and families must pay during check-in at reception. For groups, payment may be made afterwards by invoice, by prior arrangement.
Haus der Jugend accepts cash, standard credit cards and Maestro cards.
Haus der Jugend reserves the right to request a reasonable advance payment or security deposit – for example, a credit card guarantee – of up to 100% of the agreed total price upon conclusion of the Accommodation Contract. The amount of the advance payment and the payment dates can be agreed in writing (electronic communications suffice) in the Accommodation Contract. The statutory provisions apply in the event of default of payment by the guest. The remaining amount must be paid at the latest upon arrival, unless otherwise agreed.
For longer stays, Haus der Jugend is entitled to issue an interim invoice.
Data protection
Personal data of guests is collected, processed, and stored in accordance with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Federal Data Protection Act (BDSG). For more information, please see our Privacy Policy, which can be viewed on our website or at Haus der Jugend.
Cancellations (withdrawal/cancellation), reduction in the number of participants
The Accommodation Contract is binding for both parties.
Unilateral termination of the Accommodation Contract concluded with Haus der Jugend by the guest is only possible if a right of withdrawal exists under the conditions below or has been expressly agreed in the Accommodation contract, or if a statutory right of withdrawal or termination applies.
Even if no statutory right of withdrawal or termination exists, the guest may withdraw from the contract without giving rise to payment or compensation claims in favour of Haus der Jugend in the following exceptional cases:
- Individual beds in shared rooms can be cancelled by phone or in writing (electronic communications suffice) up until 9:00 a.m. on the day of arrival.
- Guests who have booked single or double rooms, families, and small groups of up to 10 guests may cancel in writing (electronic communications suffice) with a notice period of five days before the day of arrival.
- Groups of at least 11 persons may cancel in writing (electronic communications suffice) at least 60 days before the day of arrival. The same applies to a reduction in the number of persons by more than 10%.
If groups are registered within 60 days of the day of arrival, free cancellation is not possible.
The guest's contractual right of withdrawal expires if they do not exercise it with Haus der Jugend in the agreed form by the agreed date.
Upon receipt of a timely cancellation (withdrawal), Haus der Jugend will confirm this to the guest in writing (electronic communications suffice).
Cancellation fees/no shows
Haus der Jugend retains the claim to the agreed remuneration despite non-use of the service if no cancellation right (right of withdrawal) has been agreed upon or if it has already expired and no statutory right of withdrawal or termination exists. Haus der Jugend must credit income from the re-letting of the rooms as well as saved expenses. If the rooms are not re-let, Haus der Jugend may standardise the deduction for saved expenses.
The cancellation feesare as follows:
- For individual beds in shared rooms:
- No-show or cancellation after 9:00 a.m. on the day of arrival: 80%
- For families, small groups (up to 10 persons), individual travellers:
- Up to 5 days before arrival: free of charge
- 4 days or less before arrival: 60%
- 2 days or less before arrival: 75%
- No-show or cancellation on the day of arrival: 80%
- For school classes and groups (from 11 persons):
- Up to 60 days before arrival: free of charge
- From 59 to 15 days before arrival: 30%
- From 14 days to 5 days before arrival: 60%
- 4 days or less before arrival: 75%
- No-show or cancellation on the day of arrival: 80%
The same deadlines and cancellation feesapply to a reduction in the number of participants by more than 10% for school classes and groups. A reduction in the number of participants of less than 10% for school classes and groups is free of charge at any time.
The guest is free to prove that the aforementioned claim did not arise or did not arise in the claimed amount.
Cancellation and termination by Haus der Jugend
If the guest is entitled to withdraw from the contract free of charge within a certain period according to the agreements made (GTCs/Accommodation Contract), Haus der Jugend is also entitled to withdraw from the contract within this period if there are requests from other guests for the contractually booked rooms and the guest does not waive their right of withdrawal within a reasonable deadline upon request by the Haus der Jugend. Conversely, if the guest waives their right of withdrawal within the deadline, Haus der Jugend is no longer entitled to withdraw.
Haus der Jugend is also entitled to withdraw from the contract if a deposit or security that is agreed in the Accommodation Contract or demanded by Haus der Jugend under these GTCs is not paid even after the expiry of a reasonable additional deadline set by Haus der Jugend.
Furthermore, Haus der Jugend is entitled to withdraw from the contract for cause if, in particular:
- force majeure or other circumstances beyond Haus der Jugend’s control make fulfilment of the contract impossible (e.g., official prohibition due to a pandemic);
- the Accommodation Contract was culpably concluded with the use of misleading or false information or with concealment of essential facts; essential facts can include the identity of the guest, solvency, or purpose of stay;
- Haus der Jugend has reasonable grounds to believe that use of the service may endanger smooth business operations, safety, or the reputation of the establishment in public, without this being attributable to Haus der Jugend's sphere of control or organisation;
- the purpose or reason for the stay is unlawful; or
- subletting or re-letting, or use of the rooms for purposes other than accommodation takes place without the consent of Haus der Jugend.
Justified withdrawal by Haus der Jugend does not entitle the guest to claim damages.
Should a claim to damages against the guest exist on the part of Haus der Jugend due to withdrawal for reasons (2) and/or (3) above, Haus der Jugend may standardise this claim according to the above regulations on cancellation fees/no-shows, as these apply mutatis mutandis The guest is free to prove that the aforementioned claim did not arise or did not arise in the claimed amount.
Room handover and return of rooms
The guest is not entitled to the provision of specific rooms. Rooms will be made available to the guest from 1:00 p.m. on the agreed day of arrival. There is no entitlement to earlier room availability.
The rooms must be completely vacated and made available to Haus der Jugend by 9:30 a.m. at the latest on the agreed day of departure. If due to the late return of the rooms Haus der Jugend has a claim for damages against the guest, Haus der Jugend may standardise this claim according to the above regulations on cancellation fees/no-shows.
The guest is free to prove that the aforementioned claim did not arise or did not arise in the claimed amount.
Liability
The guest is liable for all damages caused by themselves or their companions to the property of Haus der Jugend.
The guest may assert claims for damages, including those arising from pre-contractual obligations and tort, only insofar as they are based on:
- intent or gross negligence on the part of Haus der Jugend;
- the negligent breach by Haus der Jugend of a duty whose fulfilment makes proper performance of the contract possible in the first place and which the guest regularly relies on, and is entitled to rely on, to be complied with;
- a negligent breach of duty by Haus der Jugend leading to injury to life, limb or health;
- the absence of a guaranteed characteristic of the booked rooms; or
- mandatory statutory liability on the part of the Haus der Jugend (e.g., Sections 701 ff. of the German Civil Code (BGB)).
Breaches of duty by the legal representatives or vicarious agents of Haus der Jugend shall be equivalent to breaches of duty by Haus der Jugend itself.
If liability is based solely on the case referred to in letter b), Haus der Jugend shall be liable only for damage that is typical for the type of contract and which is foreseeable at the time of conclusion of the contract.
All exclusions and limitations of liability also apply in favour of the legal representatives and vicarious agents of Haus der Jugend.
Should disturbances or defects occur in the services provided by Haus der Jugend, Haus der Jugend shall endeavour, upon becoming aware of them or upon immediate an complaint by the guest, to remedy them. The guest is obliged to do what is reasonable to eliminate the problem and to keep any possible damage as low as possible.
Householder's rights/House Rules
All guests are obliged to observe the House Rules, which are attached as an annex. The accompanying persons, as representatives of their participants, are obliged to issue binding instructions and to ensure that all participants comply with the House Rules.
In the event of serious violations of the House Rules (e.g., disturbance of the peace, damage to property), Haus der Jugend may terminate the contract without notice and expel the guest from the premises.
For groups, the following applies: the group leader is responsible for ensuring that all group members comply with the House Rules. They must inform the group of the applicable rules before arrival.
No animals
Animals may not be brought into Haus der Jugend or the rooms used by the guest. Exceptions to this rule may be made in individual cases for therapy and guide dogs.
Final provisions
Amendments or additions to this contract – including this provision – are only effective if they are made in writing or expressly agreed verbally.
The place of fulfilment and payment is the location of Haus der Jugend.
This is also the exclusive place of jurisdiction in commercial transactions. The same applies for guests who do not have a general place of jurisdiction in Germany.
German law applies. The application of the UN Sales Convention and of conflict of laws is excluded.
Haus der Jugend points out that the European Union has set up an online platform for the out-of-court settlement of consumer disputes ("OS platform"), which can be accessed here: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/
However, Haus der Jugend does not participate in dispute resolution proceedings before consumer arbitration boards.
If individual or multiple provisions of these General Terms and Conditions of Business are or become invalid or void, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining terms and conditions of business. In all other respects, the law applies.
As of 30/06/2025
House Rules
Haus der Jugend is always a lively place. However, if some want to sleep while others want to party, coexistence will not work. Therefore, we have some rules. These are binding and help to avoid stress.
For our safety
- Smoking and the lighting of smoke-producing substances is prohibited throughout the entire building. Smokers are welcome to use our outdoor facilities. We charge up to €250 for the basic cleaning of smoke-filled rooms.
- Handling fire and open flames is strictly prohibited throughout the entire building, without exception. This also applies to the use of spray cans outside the sanitary facilities (e.g., deodorant, hair spray, etc.).
- Anyone who negligently triggers the fire alarm (smoke detectors on the ceiling) through cigarette smoke or other handling of smoke, fire, or spray cans, or who intentionally tampers with fire alarms, shall bear the full costs of the resulting automatic fire brigade deployment (currently approx. €800) as well as any necessary repair costs.
- For safety and hygiene reasons, the preparation of hot food and drinks is not permitted.
- Guests are responsible for the safekeeping and security of personal belongings.
Our coexistence
- Noise should be avoided on the room floors and in the stairwells. The shared bedrooms are intended exclusively for relaxation and rest. Those wishing to socialise can do so in the common areas on the ground floor.
- Quiet hours are from midnight to 7 a.m. During this time, electronic devices for loud music or other sound reproduction are prohibited.
- Bringing alcohol and drugs of any kind onto the premises is prohibited across the board. Guests under the influence of intoxicants may be expelled from the premises. The Youth Protection Act applies.
Your stay
- The beds are freshly made on arrival. We kindly ask you to strip your beds and place the linen in the provided laundry containers in the corridors upon departure.
- Please treat our furniture and equipment with care. Markings, stickers, damage, or severe soiling will incur additional charges.
- As a rule, animals are not allowed. Only guide and assistance dogs are welcome, and only by prior arrangement.
- Haus der Jugend is committed to environmental and nature conservation. Therefore, we ask you to separate waste or avoid it altogether and to use energy and water sparingly.
Householder's rights
- We exercise our rights as the householder! In urgent cases, we reserve the right to enter rooms to exercise householder's rights and take necessary measures. Evictions may be issued in the event of serious violations of peace in the building.
Important times:
- Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
- Check-in: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
- Check-out: by 9:30 a.m.
- Time when closed: 2:00 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
The team at the Youth Hostel Frankfurt wishes you a pleasant and relaxing stay!