Political pressure necessary to lead the right of first refusal to success - tenant community in Neukölln fights against possible conversion into condominiums

Political pressure necessary to lead the right of first refusal to success - tenant community in Neukölln fights against possible conversion into condominiums

The right of first refusal as an instrument for the protection of tenants and tenants is currently in danger at Weichselstraße 52 in Neukölln. The Hansereal company bought the house, and the tenants fear that the apartment will be upgraded here in the future and that the apartments are to be sold individually. The Neukölln district also sees this development critically and wants to exercise its right of first refusal for the building.

The right of first refusal enables the district to place a third -oriented third party in the place of the actual buyer. However, since 2021 this has only been possible with significant urban planning grievances, as the Federal Administrative Court decided.

The tenant of an apartment on Weichselstraße points to the defects in the house, such as leaking roofs, crumbling plaster and a sinking basement. Despite these defects, the price for the house is comparatively cheap because it is offered for three million euros - 1500 euros per square meter. Other houses in Neukölln were sold at a significantly higher average square meter price.

The search for a common good buyer is difficult, however, because it must be willing to eliminate the defects in the house. Previous cooperatives and foundations have already canceled because the purchase cannot be lifted due to the current interest. Landes -owned housing companies are also contrasting to purchase of real estate in need of renovation.

Without grants from the country, it becomes difficult to realize the pre -purchase. Therefore, the tenants also focus on political pressure to move the Senate to secure its support. District City Councilor Jochen Biedermann has already contacted Finance Senator Stefan Evers and the exam is running.

The tenants are working hard to find a common good buyer. Time is urging because a decision must be made by mid -September. The tenants stand together and cannot be displaced. District City Councilor Biedermann emphasizes in a greeting to the tenants that there are immense rent increases, especially in houses in poor condition when the owners change.

also for the commercial units in the house, a neighborhood shop and a small museum, there is a risk of repression. These have no milieu protection. The museum's operator emphasizes that the rent would increase significantly with an investor as the owner. She has been observing for years how old shops in the street disappear.

Even if a cooperative willing to buy and renovate are found, there is still the possibility that the house will be sold to the Hansereal. This can sign a turnover agreement by the last day of the deadline for the right of first refusal. Here, she undertakes not to divide the house into condominiums and not to invoice the tenants. However, extensive renovation requirements would have to be met.

The worst case for tenants is already shown at the intersection of Rigaer and Liebigstraße in Friedrichshain, where apartments were divided into condominiums. The tenants report that the prices per square meter are now over 5000 euros. In addition, there is a connection of the Hansereal to the AfD, which gives the tenants additional incentive, to struggle for the preservation of your house.

The tenants in the Weichselstraße are doing everything they can to maintain their rights and political pressure in order to exercise the right of first refusal and to prevent sales to the Hansereal. It remains to be seen whether you will find a common good -oriented buyer and thus preserve the diversity of the house community.