Every year, millions of euros in damage are caused by vandalism in Berlin’s housing associations with their many large apartment buildings.
More than 5,000 vandalism damages were reported by five large housing associations last year, according to a response from the Senate to a CDU request.
Accordingly, Gewobag indicated almost 2,500 cases of damage amounting to 1.2 million euros. Howoge came up with around 1200 vandalism damages (around 350,000 euros), according to the answer, WBM was 720 cases (177,000 euros), Gesobau 645 (335,000 euros) and Degewo almost 500 (200,000 euros). The amounts of damage in previous years were similar.
The repair costs are usually paid by the housing associations themselves or their insurance companies.
Video surveillance and security services are deployed against those responsible. Tenants are addressed and made aware. Lighting is also being improved in some homes. “If necessary, contact will be made with the prevention officers of the Berlin police, State Criminal Police Office (urban crime prevention).”