Archive photo: "Milieuschutz jetzt!" (Neighborhood protection now!) is written on a banner on a building in Berlin.
© dpa
The Berlin district of Neukölln wants to take stronger action against the temporary and furnished letting of apartments. Specifically, this practice is to be banned in so-called Milieuschutz (milieu protection) areas in order to preserve the social structure, as the district office announced.
"Temporary housing is generally not eligible for approval in milieu protection areas," explained the district councillor for urban development, Jochen Biedermann (Greens). This rental practice is contrary to the objectives of the milieu protection regulations.
The aim of milieu protection areas is to preserve the local social structure and protect tenants from sharp rent increases and displacement. According to the district authority, the "temporary living" model is only aimed from the outset at people who are prepared to pay significantly higher rents than those who live in the area permanently. The temporary and furnished rental could therefore lead to the displacement of established residents. It is a change of use that requires an application.
"With temporary and furnished rentals, loopholes in tenancy law are exploited and horrendous sums are demanded," explained Biedermann. "This quickly results in a total rent of 3,500 euros for 80 square meters. This is not an isolated case in Neukölln." According to the district councillor, this practice is getting out of hand and is leading to the proportion of affordable housing becoming ever smaller. "People on low and middle incomes are finding it increasingly difficult to find an apartment. We will restrict this practice in milieu protection areas and consistently pursue unauthorized rentals." The council is confident that the new administrative practice will stand up to any judicial review. The temporary letting of furnished apartments is also increasing in other Berlin districts.