- Thuringia extends the rental price brake
The state government aims to curb the rise in rents in the two largest cities in Thuringia. The so-called rent brake for the state capital of Erfurt and the university city of Jena will be extended beyond 2024, it announced.
Given the tight housing markets in both cities, the cabinet has decided to amend the validity period of the cap regulation, the Ministry of Housing stated.
Rents in Erfurt and Jena may not increase by more than 15 percent within three years - based on the current rent level and up to the local comparative rent.
Between 2018 and 2022, rents in Erfurt rose by around 10 percent - more than the national average of 7.25 percent. The rent burden in Erfurt is 26.3 percent and in Jena 25.1 percent, both above the average of the new federal states of 24.6 percent, but also above the Thuringian average of 24.2 percent, it was explained.
"Despite positive developments in social housing construction, especially in Jena, we must protect tenants in both cities from significant rent increases in existing rental contracts," said Housing Minister Susanna Karawanskij (Left).
To support tenants, the state government is planning to maintain the rent cap beyond 2024 in Erfurt and Jena, affected by tight housing markets. With the extension of the rent brake, rents in these cities may not exceed a 15% increase over three years, according to the Ministry of Housing.
