When it comes to high rents, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich are the undisputed leaders. When it comes to the percentage increase in net rent, Berlin is no match for any city - over the last 10 years, rents have risen by around 45% . The reason for this is very obvious: Berlin is booming and more and more people want to be part of the hype. Adventurous people flock to the capital from all directions and continents to do something “with media, art or music”. But many well-known companies outside the start-up scene also want to fill their office chairs with well-trained graduates. The demand for housing is increasing; the offer remains manageable! Even when viewing shared apartments, you now feel like one of many candidates in a casting show. Desperation drives many people to rent overpriced shared rooms or apartments - the main thing is that you have something!
I belong to the rare breed of Berlin native. So rare that at shared apartment parties in Neukölln, many people's jaws drop when the news about my origins spreads. But who, if not me, has noticed the development of rents since childhood?!
After a 3-year break in Berlin, I rented a small apartment in Berlin-Schöneberg in 2008/2009. The rent beforehand was €330 warm, which is unbelievable from today's perspective! 2 years later I moved out and gave the apartment to a friend of a friend. He then paid €390 straight away. After 2.5 years, this second-degree acquaintance also moved out and the apartment ultimately ended up on the open housing market. I found it again through a tip on a large real estate portal - "freshly renovated", as the saying goes. In plain language, it was painted white and new laminate flooring of maximum average quality had been laid. The rent was now an impressive €465 including rent - and that was only around 4 years after I moved out. The fact that the apartment was on the mezzanine floor (very cold in winter, very dark in summer), had old double windows (any burglar would be happy about that, you don't even need any "tools or skills": push open, hop in, empty) and so on I would only like to mention in passing that it didn't have any upscale amenities. The increase in rent over this period was 40% (I am specifically talking about the heating rent here. Landlords are of course also forced to increase the additional costs accordingly if the items for garbage collection, heating, etc. have increased).
Rent cap - Berlin is declaring war on rising rents
Last year in Berlin you had to have a lot of patience and money in order to be able to at least partially fulfill your expectations for your new apartment. Action is therefore being taken in Berlin: the rent cap has officially come into force since June 1, 2015. What does that mean in plain language and how many loopholes does the new law offer?
- The rent may not be increased by more than 10% above the local comparative rent for new rentals.
- The local comparative rent is set in the rent index
- New buildings are excluded - the construction of new apartments should not be inhibited by the rent cap
- Even in the case of extensive renovation, the above regulation does not apply
The rent control - a bursting hot air balloon?
New law, new critics. Everything sounds good in theory, but what does it look like in practice? Evil tongues predict that the rent cap will have a negligible effect. For example, if a slightly outdated apartment costs €5.40 per square meter and the comparable rent is €7.60, the rent can still be increased by 10% - without even having a single door frame painted. If an apartment is already significantly higher than the comparable rent, the landlord does not have to correct the price. This is where it becomes difficult for the new tenant because you usually don't know how much the apartment previously cost and how much the rent has increased. Once the rental agreement has been signed, it will be difficult to assert the right afterwards. Even with extensive renovation, the rent cap does not come into force - in Berlin, around 40% of apartments are renovated before being relet. The rule says: Comprehensive renovation applies if the measures amount to 1/3 of the costs of a new building. Here too the question is: How should this be proven? What are the costs of a new building? What does renovation cover that justifies the higher rent?
If you want to insist on your rights, it is advisable to take your lawyer with you next time you view your apartment, as well as your heavy application folder!
But the rent cap has one good thing in any case: you no longer have to pay the agent a commission for unlocking the door!
The 10 most expensive cities to study in Germany
We didn't make up the following numbers, they come from Handelsblatt. In which German city is a room in a shared apartment the most expensive? Find out here! However, there are no big surprises:
1. Munich
You'll have to shell out around €501 for a shared room in Minga. Increase compared to 2012: 6.5%.
2. Frankfurt
A room in Börsen-City costs €428. Increase compared to 2012: 12%.
3. Stuttgart
€396 is realistic in the Swabian metropolis.
4. Consistency
At €388, Lake Constance is not exactly related to “Berta Billig”.
5. Heidelberg
The city is teeming with students. The rents show this - €383.
6. Dusseldorf
A shared room costs €371. Use of the roommates' Burberry scarf included.
7. Hamburg
A cool breeze surrounds the housing market. Frosty-cool atmosphere at €360.
8. Cologne
The Rhenish cheerful nature attracts students to the universities there with an average rent of €350 per room.
9. Munster
For 313€ you can be part of the city of bicycles.
10. Berlin
Hipster Town still seems affordable in comparison - you'll have to fork out an average of €301. A rapid increase is programmed.
What do you say about the rent control, which will soon also take effect in other cities? What is the housing market like in your city? Feel free to share!
From June 1st The rent cap has officially come into force in Berlin. Just a pretty word with no effect?
