Stricter rules: The federal government is planning measures against rent usury for furnishings!

Stricter rules: The federal government is planning measures against rent usury for furnishings!

These days, the topic of renting is a hot topic, especially when it comes to furnished apartments. The Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has now decided to put a stop to the rampant growth in this area. In their opinion, there is considerable scope for regulations that should regulate the rental of furnished living space more strictly. In Berlin, where she recently had her own experience looking for an apartment, she was shocked by the high prices for partially furnished and partially commercially used apartments. Hubig found that the furnishings of the apartments have a significant influence on rental prices, which is often exploited in the industry. According to rbb24, the differences in the quality and equipment of furnished apartments are a central issue.

But what are the reasons behind this price development? In Germany's major cities, demand for furnished living space now accounts for a third of the entire rental market. As a result, rents are not only rising in large cities, but the price trend is also affecting the entire housing market. According to the Tagesschau, furnished apartments are particularly expensive; In Berlin, tenants on average have to dig deep into their pockets and pay an impressive 36.82 euros per square meter - and that's not the only price driver. An increased need for rental apartments and the ongoing housing shortage are the main causes of this price explosion.

The rent control is under pressure

The federal system of rent control was actually intended to ensure that rents do not rise excessively. But the rules, which also apply to furnished apartments, have some loopholes in practice. For example, landlords are allowed to charge up to 10% more than the rent for comparable living space for partially furnished properties. This gap is often deliberately exploited, which has led to a significant increase in the proportion of furnished offers on real estate portals in recent years - from 4% to 8% within the last two and a half years. The situation is particularly red in cities with 100,000 to 500,000 inhabitants, where the proportion of furnished properties has also increased.

Federal Construction Minister Klara Geywitz has already outlined plans to protect the rent cap from daily attempts to undermine it. In a similar gesture, Berlin's governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) called for consistent sanctions against violations. According to Haufe, the aim in the future is for the furniture surcharge to be set by law. This should not only create more transparency, but also better protect tenants. The background is clear: more and more landlords are trying to escape the pressure of the market by switching to furnished properties - a trend that could make a positive development on the supply side unprofitable.

Regain trust in the housing market

Reactions to the planned changes are mixed. While some politicians and experts are calling for stronger regulation, others see no need for regulation for furnished apartments and fear that stricter regulations could further reduce the already scarce housing supply. Two-thirds of furnished apartments are offered by private individuals, and this clientele often has little knowledge of laws and regulations.

In summary, it can be said that the situation on the housing market in Germany remains tense. Tenants are now hoping for legal clarity and fairer conditions, while landlords insist that their interests are protected. One thing is certain: a rethink is required, and the coming months or years could be decisive for the shape of the rental market.