Gewobag founds HausWart Plus: What does this mean for tenants in Berlin?

Gewobag founds HausWart Plus: What does this mean for tenants in Berlin?

Gewobag, one of the most important players in the Berlin housing market, founded the HausWart Plus Servicegesellschaft mbH has taken a decisive step to improve the care of its more than 74,000 apartments. From then onJuly 1, 2024The services are to be taken over by the new company. This is primarily aimed at creating individual proximity to the properties and improving the quality of service.

A pilot project that will start this month for 15,000 apartments in the Reinickendorf, Spandau and Pankow districts is intended to serve as a model for the entire conversion, which is expected to cover the entire portfolio in 2026. Around 180 employees will work in the new company, taking care of cleanliness, traffic safety and order in the residential complexes.
But not everyone involved is happy about this step. Gewobag has stopped working with the previous service provider Fletwerk, which has been working with Gewobag apartments since 2001, without taking back the caretakers employed there. Gewobag is not only questioning the jobs of Fletwerk employees, but is also being criticized by Andrea Kühnemann from ver.di Berlin-Brandenburg, who is demanding a solution for the affected employees.

A healthy living environment in focus

With the new services, Gewobag wants to respond to the increasing needs of tenants. A comprehensive analysis of Berlin's housing needs, published by Senate Department for Urban Development, has revealed that the existing housing supply is not sufficient to meet demand. Low-income households and those relying on affordable housing could be particularly affected by this realignment.

It is all the more necessary for Gewobag to take measures to secure affordable housing and ensure the protection of tenants. Only through transparent and well-organized service can trust and satisfaction in the residential complexes be promoted.
According to current plans, small repair management will also not be carried out by Gewobag; A Europe-wide tender process is being sought here, which is scheduled to take place at the beginning of March. The affected tenants will be informed about this change in a timely manner by letter in order to make the transition as smooth as possible. New contacts and contact details are communicated through house notices and via the Gewobag service app.

Looking into the future

With the planned expansion of an additional 10,000 apartments by 2030, Gewobag is setting an example for the future of Berlin's living space. Given the challenges presented by the housing market, it is more important than ever to find a clear path to ensuring housing security and quality. The focus is on giving all sections of the population access to fair housing and creating a solid infrastructure.

The developments surrounding Gewobag and its new subsidiary HausWart Plus are under pressure to meet both the needs of those looking for accommodation and the existing requirements of tenants. Especially given the critical voices, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what measures will actually be implemented.