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BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – In view of the explosion in energy prices, the German Tenants’ Association is calling on the federal government to provide a relief package for tenants. The association demands a termination moratorium. It must be ensured that no one should be fired if they are unable to pay their utility bills or high price adjustments on time because of sharply increased heating costs.
In addition, there should be a permanent heating cost subsidy for all low-income households. The housing benefit should be increased. With a gas price cap, it can be ruled out by legislation that end customer prices will rise immeasurably. In addition, the tenants’ association demands that electricity and gas cuts be prevented and rent increases be more strictly limited.
The tenants’ association argued that many energy suppliers had significantly increased their tariffs in the first half of the year. With the declaration of the alarm level of the gas emergency plan by the federal government, further increases threatened – especially if the price adjustment mechanism of the Energy Security Act were to be implemented. Then the price jumps on the gas market could be passed on directly to the end consumer.
According to the Tenants’ Association, the absolute majority of tenants use gas for heating and would be directly affected by the tariff increases. This would happen either through an immediate contract adjustment for gas floor heating or as part of the ancillary cost billing through increased advance or back payments to the landlord. This scenario threatens if the Federal Network Agency detects a significant reduction in the volume of gas imports.
Russia had throttled gas supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream. An annual 10-day pipeline maintenance begins on July 11. It is questionable whether Russia will open the gas tap again afterwards.
The tenants’ association warns that the consequences of an immediate market price adjustment are unforeseeable and must be legally regulated and socially cushioned. In the case of a price adjustment clause, passed-on costs would have to be regulated. Otherwise there is a risk of social upheaval./hoe/DP/stk