Large rental companies plan rent increases in Berlin after the publication of the new rent index

Large rental companies plan rent increases in Berlin after the publication of the new rent index

rent increases in Berlin: Vonovia, Deutsche Wohnen and Covivio cancel

After the publication of the new rent index on June 15th, some of the Berlin major rental companies announced tenant increases. Vonovia wants to increase rents for around 12,000 apartments, while Deutsche Living, which also belongs to Vonovia, is planning a higher rent for 30,000 apartments. The French real estate company Covivio is also planning increases for part of Berlin's stocks that affect around 3000 apartments.

These announcements have led to many consultations with the Berlin Tenants' Association, as Ulrike Hamann, the managing director of the association, confirmed. In addition to Vonovia, Deutsche Wohnen, Covivio and Homenstaden are also mentioned as a large rental company who are responsible for the rent increases. However, it indicates that the registered increases in their stocks have not yet been made due to the new Berlin rent index. The company is currently checking the effects of the new rent index.

According to the new rent index, an increase in the local comparative rents is planned by 5.4 percent, which corresponds to an average of 37 cents per square meter of net cold. The rent index should map the market development and give tenants as well as landlords. Landlords can adapt their rents according to the local comparative rent, but usually do not go beyond.

Deutsche Wohnen indicates that the announced increases are an average of 20 euros per month. However, the company emphasizes that no tenant has to spend more than 30 percent of its household income for rent. If this were the case, the tenant promise of German living will apply, and the rent adjustment is reduced or completely deleted.

vonovia states that the average increase in your stocks is less than 25 euros per month. After the increase, nobody should pay more than one euro per square meter or additional more than 50 euros per month. Vonovia also offers corporate solutions for tenants who have difficulty paying the new rent. Particular consideration is taken for senior citizens over 70.

In addition to the rent increases, there is also a new guideline for furnished living in Berlin. The Senate Department for Urban Development has developed this guideline, which was accepted by the Alliance for New Housing and affordable living. The guideline stipulates that a furniture surcharge in the rental agreement must be shown separately and its calculation must be presented. However, a separate collection of a furniture surcharge is not necessary if the furniture is already taken into account as a characteristic of the price calculation via the rent index, e.g. a fitted kitchen. When calculating a furniture surcharge, the current value of the furniture provided is taken into account, which decreases over time.

The alternative tenant and consumer protection association (AMV) welcomes the new guideline, but calls for an immediate legal regulation, since the guideline is not legally binding. The AMV hopes that the recommended calculation method of the furniture surcharge will prevail in practice and provide more legal certainty.