- Renters' Collective: Increasingly, Individuals are Being Let Go Due to Their Personal Requirements
On the Hamburg rental market, there's been an uptick in tenants being kicked out by landlords claiming they need the place for themselves, as per the Renters' Union. "The 'need for personal use' eviction is used as a means to vacate properties that are later sold or leased out for a higher price, and in situations where renters exercise their rights and become bothersome," stated Marielle Eifler, deputy chair of the Renters' Union in Hamburg, to the German Press Agency.
Exact figures aren't known to the Union. "We can only go off the statistics provided by the German Renters' Union's legal insurance, which shows approximately 100 cases in the past three years where legal insurance was needed," mentioned Eifler. The Renters' Union estimates that at least twice as many incidents are lingering in Hamburg courts, unresolved by the German Renters' Union's legal insurance.
Suspected motive: Capitalizing on housing
The Renters' Union hypothesizes the following factors: "Hamburg already has a highly congested housing market, historically low vacancy rates, minimal property turnover with its trademark consequences (lock-in effect), and an increased number of evictions. This probably means landlords are releasing properties to re-rent them on the market for maximum profit," said Eifler.
The Renters' Union suggests legal action only when necessary. The German Renters' Union's legal insurance reports numerous cases that ended unfavorably for renters due to the landlord's 'need for personal use' claim being unverifiable in court. "It's always wise to consult a legal advisor prior to court proceedings and strive for a peaceful resolution with the landlord, avoiding a court battle altogether," the expert suggested.
The housing shortage in Hamburg may be exacerbating the issue, as landlords look to capitalize on the high demand by evicting tenants under the guise of "need for personal use" to sell or lease the property at a higher price. This scenario of suspected motive: Capitalizing on housing, has led to an estimated 100 verified eviction cases in the last three years, with the Renters' Union estimating that double that number remain unresolved in Hamburg courts.
