Holiday apartments in Erfurt: Citizens fear displacement in the old town!

Holiday apartments in Erfurt: Citizens fear displacement in the old town!

Erfurt's old town is bustling as more and more apartments are being converted into holiday accommodation. This trend is a thorn in the side of the city administration because it jeopardizes efforts to preserve and develop housing. In recent years, a lot of money has flowed into renovating existing housing, but now there are concerns about unauthorized holiday apartments. There are currently around 200 such cases known and around 60 review procedures have already been initiated. It's not just about the current oversupply, but also about the long-term consequences for the quality of life in the old town. The aim is to promote a healthy mix of locals and tourists, which is of great importance to the managing director of Erfurt Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, Christian Fothe. As early as 2021, he and the city council advocated for stricter controls on the conversion of living space, while there is still a lack of a legal basis in the Free State of Thuringia.

How many of the holiday apartments rented out under the table actually exist remains uncertain. However, the city administration has already found out about many illegal providers through its own research and tips from the population. The city is responding to this dilemma with a process that includes legal clarification and possible hearings for the affected landlords. The goal is clear: holiday apartments without a permit should eventually disappear gradually from the cityscape.

The challenge of using holiday apartments

The trend towards short-term rentals via platforms such as Airbnb cannot only be observed in Erfurt. Popular holiday destinations such as Sylt, Föhr and Amrum are also struggling with similar problems. According to reports, up to 50% of vacation rentals on these islands could be rented illegally. Burkhard Jansen from the North Friesland District Building Authority is currently carrying out an inspection and has hired additional employees for this purpose. He explained that such illegal rentals are a major factor in the housing shortage for locals. ZDF today reports that the municipalities in the Nordfriesland district have to change their development plans to counteract this problem. Otherwise, locals risk losing affordable housing.

The situation is similar in many major German cities and tourist hotspots, where citizens' initiatives are campaigning for a fair housing market. Studies show that while platforms like Airbnb create the opportunity for many to generate additional income, they can also drive up rents. In Barcelona, ​​for example, rents increased by 7% in areas with high Airbnb concentrations. Deutschlandfunk refers to the tensions caused by gentrification in popular neighborhoods and the resulting displacement of the local population.

A look into the future

What the future holds for the old town of Erfurt remains to be seen. However, the city administration is determined to take action against the illegal use of housing. Landlords who do not have a permit have the opportunity to have a hearing. If they cannot provide any valid arguments, they will be banned from renting. The legal basis for such measures is still outstanding.

Given the challenges posed by the sharing economy, it is to be hoped that a balance between tourist and local needs can be achieved. As current developments show, a gradual adaptation of local laws and careful control of holiday apartments is essential to protect the living space for Erfurt residents. The commitment of the city administration and local actors will be crucial.