Rent in Berlin: Fight for right to live

Rent in Berlin: Fight for right to live

Manfred Moslehner, 84 years old, stands in front of the courtroom in the district court of Wedding to face a evacuation process. The investor, who bought the settlement in Berlin-Reinickendorf, urges the modernization of the houses and strives to profit from resale. Despite the long struggle of the tenant community on Steinberg, Muslehner now threatens to be driven out of his parents' house after almost 14 years, in which he spent his whole life.

The judge who negotiates the case is visibly moved and doubt whether the need for a judgment. The past of the settlement on the Steinberg dates back to the 1920s when working-class families lived in the small houses and attached vegetables in the garden. But the sale to the real estate developer changed everything by urging the houses to modernize and expensive resale.

Moslehner, a former machine locksmith with a small pension, consistently rejected the modernization plans. He threatened the loss of his home if he had to move out. The judge checks the arguments on both sides and emphasizes the final decision that should soon be made. However, there is still hope for a solution because a member of the Bundestag tries to mediate.

The Situation illustrates the social and emotional stress that Muslehner is exposed to while the legal process takes its course. Despite the offers of implementation apartments and legal arguments, the future uncertainty of the 84-year-old man remains. The question of a fair outcome of the dispute over his home remains unanswered for the moment.