Rent rising: Neuwieder politics fights against housing shortage!

Rent rising: Neuwieder politics fights against housing shortage!

On January 21, 2025, Thorben Thieme, the direct candidate of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in the constituency of Neuwied/Altenkirchen, met with representatives of the Mittelrhein e. V. in Neuwied. Joachim Adler and Hendrik Krahl from the Green Ordinary Association Neuwied and Dr. Dietrich Rühle, the first chairman of the tenant association. The discussion was about urgent topics such as rising rents, growing energy prices and the impending shortage of living space.

Especially people with low incomes are particularly affected by these problems. Thieme underlined the urgency to extend and expand the rental price brake and to close existing loopholes. A central concern was also the demand for socio-ecological construction and an improvement in the financial framework, in particular through an adequate BAföG to make it easier for young people to access the housing market.

rental price brake on the test bench

The discussion about the rental price brake takes place against the background of current developments. The German Tenants' Association (DMB) has found positive progress in the extension of the rental price brake, which has now come into the departmental tuning. In the coalition agreement, an extension was agreed by the end of 2029, while according to media reports, the rental price brake should apply by the end of 2028. However, the DMB is committed to ensuring that this regulation will be maintained by the end of 2029.

Available are currently about a third of the tenant households with their housing costs overloaded. Therefore, the DMB calls for the abolition of all exceptions from the rental price brake, except for new buildings. In addition, the cut -off date for new buildings from 2014 to 2024 is to be increased. Other planned reforms include a lowering of the caps for rent increases from 15 to 11 percent, the exclusion of the possibility of termination after all rent debt and the restoration of the right of first refusal to give tenants more security.

reform needs and political responsibility

dr. During the meeting, Dietrich Rühle underlined the need to take the concerns of the tenants seriously and to implement the planned reforms quickly. The DMB appeals to the Minister of Justice to put the issues mentioned into the political focus. The goal is clear: an improvement in rental conditions and support for the people who suffer the most suffering from current developments.

Overall, the discussion reflects that the need for action in the rental market is large and it is imperative that political actors, such as Thieme, remain active in dialogue in order to find effective solutions. The challenges are considerable, but the will to change is available.