Berlin’s housing crisis deepens as rentcafes exploit loopholes and fines go uncollected
Berlin faces a housing crisis exacerbated by the misuse of apartments for tourist accommodation and the rise of furnished rentcafes at inflated prices. Fines for such violations can reach up to 500,000 euros, yet enforcement varies widely across districts. While Neukölln has collected nearly 100% of its fines, other districts lag behind. The Left Party demands a central task force to combat this issue, as millions in revenue are lost annually due to the misuse of apartments for rent and the proliferation of rentcafes.
Berlin has an estimated 38,000 holiday apartments, with only 600 permits issued since 2016. The lack of enforcement has cost the city millions in uncollected fines, with only 40% of the 11.65 million euros in penalties collected since 2014. Some districts, like Tempelhof-Schoeneberg, are more active in imposing fines, while others, such as Marzahn-Hellersdorf, have been slow to act.
Furnished rentcafes have emerged as a new loophole, often rented at higher prices than unfurnished apartments. This further strains the city's housing market. In response, the Left Party has called for a central task force to tackle misuse of housing, including rent gouging by rentcafes. Other cities like Offenbach and Vienna have established dedicated teams to combat these issues, with Vienna's team issuing 83 fines and over one million euros in penalties since July 2024.
The misuse of apartments for tourist accommodation and the proliferation of rentcafes at inflated prices is exacerbating Berlin's housing crisis. With varying enforcement across districts and millions in uncollected fines, a coordinated approach is needed. The Left Party's call for a central task force, echoing successful models in other cities, could help combat this issue and protect Berlin's residents.
