Air Conditioning Regulation in Vienna's Municipal Buildings Causes a Stir

Following the recent heatwave, Ombudswoman Gabriela Schwarz (ÖVP), who is responsible for municipal matters including building law and housing and settlement affairs, speaks out. For her, it is "incomprehensible" that Wiener Wohnen generally does not approve air conditioning in municipal housing complexes. "Sweating allowed, cooling forbidden seems to be the motto of Wiener Wohnen," criticizes Schwarz of this stance. Municipal apartments thus become "heat traps."

Air Conditioning in Municipal Housing Only at Care Level 6: Criticism of Wiener Wohnen

Especially in large cities like Vienna, hot summers are becoming a physical burden for more and more people - even in their own living spaces, Schwarz points out. However, the installation of air conditioning is subject to approval under the Tenancy Law and, according to Schwarz, is only approved by Wiener Wohnen if tenants registered at the address receive care level 6. These are physically impaired people who have an intensive need for care and rely on help for almost all daily tasks.

Ombudswoman Calls for Case-by-Case Examination

The Ombudswoman appeals to Wiener Wohnen to reconsider this position and introduce a case-by-case examination instead of a "uniform rule": "Not only bedridden persons at care level 6, but also people with cardiovascular problems, seniors, children, and many others suffer from the high temperatures in summer." Additionally, Schwarz points out that improvements are permissible under the Tenancy Law: "And an air conditioner clearly contributes to an improvement in quality of life when people cannot sleep at night in over 30 degrees."

(APA/Red)

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