Alarmingly High Housing Costs in Vienna: Greens Demand Legal Rent Caps

More and more people are unable to find affordable housing, lamented party leader Judith Pühringer at a press conference. Although the federal government has intervened and tightened the rent cap, the measures have a catch - the most expensive rents in new buildings are not capped. Therefore, the Greens are calling for legal rent caps.

The demand was supported by current figures: Since 2000, real estate prices in Vienna have risen by 216 percent according to the Greens, while net incomes have only increased by 60 percent. In about 15 percent of households, more than 40 percent of household income is spent on housing. Despite the rent cap, tenants of about one-fifth of all apartments are exposed to "unbridled rent increases," Pühringer complained. At the same time, there are expensive location surcharges in old buildings.

"Home is Becoming Too Expensive for More and More People in Vienna"

"Home is becoming too expensive for more and more people in Vienna. Now the SPÖ is breaking its election promise and not intervening in unregulated rents," Pühringer stated. Nina Tomaselli, the Greens' housing spokesperson in parliament, identified "backroom deals with the real estate industry." The federal government is now being called upon to set legally defined rent caps for all apartments 25 years after they were built. The base rent should be oriented to the current reference interest rate.

Surcharges and deductions should be possible based on thermal condition, quality, and equipment. Landlords who renovate and maintain their apartments well should be rewarded - as they can charge more rent. The abolition of the location surcharge was also urged, as well as a ban on fixed-term leases for commercial landlords.

Living in Vienna: Criticism Unjustified According to SPÖ

The SPÖ immediately held the Greens accountable. "The Greens were in the federal government for five years and unfortunately did not achieve anything lasting in terms of lowering rents," stated SPÖ housing spokesperson Elke Hanel-Torsch. The criticism of the federal government is also incorrect. Especially with reference rents, which are by no means "cheap" due to surcharges, the relief for tenants is significant, she assured. It has also been agreed that there should be further improvements, such as increasing the minimum fixed-term lease from three to five years.

(APA/Red)

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