Research - About half of renters experience money troubles.
With soaring energy expenses and costly rents, almost half of the individuals renting in Hamburg are encountering monetary difficulties, a recent survey suggests. Around one in four of the respondents are even dealing with more serious financial problems. The tandem rise in base rents and additional expenses was a specific concern, the Justice Department and Consumer Center revealed on Friday.
In a survey conducted by market research firm Gelszus rmm Marketing Research, 501 residents aged 18 to 70 were questioned online between February 15 and 26. Close to half of these individuals, or 41%, have been impacted by the increase in basic rents and added costs in the past. Compared to the previous year, this rate has dipped by just four percentage points.
Breaking down the data further, 22% of the tenants' rental agreements are tied to step-rate rents, while an additional 17% are tied to index rents. These rent types are significantly more common among younger tenants, with 54% being influenced by step-rate or index rents, compared to 24% among elderly tenants.
The survey revealed that 52% of all tenants experienced a rent hike in the previous year. This could be due to announcements or actual implementation of the increases. In contrast, this figure was 59% the year before. Among those with step-rate rents, 51% didn't see any benefit from the rent cap, while 53% of index rents and those with no fixed increase saw no help either.
10% of step-rate rents have fallen behind in payments, 12.8% of index rents are in arrears, and roughly 2% of respondents received or were expecting a rent reduction, while 3% had already received one.
In response, Justice Senator Anna Gallina (Greens) called for a limit on index rents, greater clarity on moving-in costs, and improved protection for short-term rentals. She stressed, "We must ensure that the rent cap isn't being worked around." The federal government needs to step in and provide solutions for this issue.
Rolf Bosse, the chairman of the Hamburg Tenants' Association, emphasized that lower-income individuals were often targeted in the furnished housing market. This group, which includes students, apprentices, and those recently arrived from abroad, are frequently seeking short-term housing and are thus more vulnerable to rental increases.
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Based on the survey results, the escalating energy prices and rents have become a significant concern for renters in Hamburg, with nearly half of them experiencing financial struggles. This issue is particularly pronounced among younger tenants, as over half of them are affected by step-rate or index rents. The rent increase in the past year affected 52% of tenants, and despite a rent cap, many tenants, including those with step-rate rents and index rents, haven't benefited from it. The Justice Senator of Hamburg called for stricter rent control measures to prevent circumvention of the cap, and the Hamburg Tenants' Association highlighted the vulnerability of lower-income individuals in the furnished housing market. Meanwhile, the Consumer Advice Center could provide valuable guidance to renters navigating these challenges.
