By Johannes Malinowski
Rising energy costs, more expensive groceries: For thousands of Berliners, rents are now even higher.
Because: The six state-owned housing associations have also increased the rents for parts of their housing stock.
► Howoge: Since June, 720 increases averaging 7 cents per square meter. According to a spokeswoman, this is not enough to absorb the rising costs.
Janet R. (22) lives with her parents in a 3-room apartment in Spandau: “They were angry about the rent increase. Everything is getting more expensive, but who is going to pay for all this? We are afraid of how things will continue”→ Photo: Ralf Gunther
► WBM: The rent for 400 apartments has increased by an average of 4.75 euros since June. “The increases are necessary due to the rising costs in the management of the apartments,” said a spokesman.
► Gewobag: Rent adjustments since June 2009, on average by 7.50 euros per apartment. Reason: Consequences of the Ukraine war such as rising building prices, interest and energy costs.
► Degewo: In 1002 cases, the rent has increased by an average of 11 cents per square meter since June.
Wladimir Jangodidis (41) from Spandau pays 700 euros warm for a 3-room apartment: “No one is happy about a rent increase. I can’t understand that, we moved here in November. I hope it was the last increase” Photo: Ralf Gunther
► City and country: Does not indicate how many apartments are affected. Increase of about 8 cents per square meter and month.
► Gesobau: 278 rent increases were sent out in June and August. No information about the height.
All state companies refer to hardship regulations if someone cannot pay the higher rent.
The Berlin Tenants’ Association criticizes the rising rents. “It is sending the wrong signal in the crisis,” says Managing Director Dr. Ulrike Hamann. While the tenants are afraid of not being able to pay the operating costs, the net cold rents are being increased. But: “Legally, you are on the safe side.”
Angelin B. (20) has been living with her parents and brother in a 4-room apartment in Spandau since October 2021, they pay around 1500 euros warm: “It’s getting more and more difficult for us, but we’ll manage it. The housing association will have its reasons” Photo: Ralf Gunther
The housing policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, Stefan Förster (41), calls on companies to keep things moderate. “People live there who have to turn over every euro three times,” he says.
According to Förster, the Senate must now ensure that there are no hardship cases in which tenants lose their apartments because they cannot pay the increase.