Tenant activist Manfred Manne Moslehner died at the age of 85

Tenant activist Manfred Manne Moslehner died at the age of 85

Berlin, Deutschland - Manfred "Manne" Moslehner, a well -known tenant activist, died on May 30, 2025 at the age of 85. The initiative "Siedlung am Steinberg fights" confirmed his death, which was first reported by nd currently . Muslehner was considered a symbol of the resistance movement against the displacement of old tenants, especially in the rapidly changing Berlin housing situation.

Legally, Muslehner fought against the evacuation of his apartment in the Reinickendorfer settlement "Am Steinberg" for over 14 years. This settlement was affected by a sale after the new owner, who planned the renovation of around 40 tenants at the Steinberg Development Society MBH. The resentment of these renovation plans led to increased resistance among the old tenants. Supporters feared that Muslehner would not survive a forced eviction.

a last victory

In autumn 2024, the Berlin district court decided to stay in his apartment for the time being in an appeal decision in favor of Muslehner, which allowed him to stay in his apartment for now. Previously, the district court of Wedding was still followed in April 2024. Hartmut Lenz, a neighbor and companion, emphasized that Muslehner's psychological decay was not exclusively related to his age, but rather with the fear of the impending evacuation that struck him. "I'm full in life again," said Moslehner last. Nevertheless, another court date was scheduled for July 2025.

The challenges for tenants in Berlin are enormous in view of an acute lack of living space and rising rents. It is estimated that around 74,000 apartments are missing to meet demand while Dbreseearch.de Berlin's housing policy indicates. A 5-point plan should reduce the lack of housing in the course of the decade.

The way forward

Berlin politics is faced with the challenge of boost new building activities and at the same time strengthen tenant protection. According to reports, around 16,300 apartments were completed in 2020 - a decline compared to the previous year. The population of Berlin grew dynamically and drove the price spiral upwards.

A referendum for expropriation of real estate companies with more than 3,000 apartments is currently underway, whereby citizens have to collect signatures by June 26, 2025. Such a measure could be a crucial step to counter the displacement of the old tenants that symbolized people like Manne Muslehner.

The deceased and their fight against the repression remain in the city's memory. Moslehner's tireless efforts and the ongoing resistance of tenants in the settlement "Am Steinberg" are signs of a continuing rent movement in Berlin that urges changes.