Green Party wants to tackle vacancy in Vienna with a new model
It is estimated that there are around 80,000 of these in Vienna, but an exact figure is not possible as they are "not recorded and not taxed," Prack emphasized at a press conference. Vienna must "consistently tackle speculative vacancies," said Pühringer.
The SPÖ is resting on its laurels here and squandering the legacy of affordable housing, according to the Green Party's top candidate. The vacancy tax model presented today is progressive. Therefore, the taxes would increase with the duration of the vacancy. The calculation of the tax would be based on the reference interest rate, which is currently 6.67 euros.
Vienna Greens want to combat vacancy
In the first year, two-thirds of the reference interest rate per square meter per month should be charged. In the second year, it would be the full rate, and in the third year, double the rate. For a 75 square meter apartment, this would ultimately amount to just over 12,000 euros per year. This is intended to increase the pressure on landlords to bring the apartments back to the market, it was said.
Prack also emphasized that comprehensive exemptions are planned. Only speculative vacancies should be prevented. Thus, the tax would only apply to apartments that have been vacant for more than six months. Secondary residences or vacancies due to renovation, inheritance proceedings, or care would be exempt from a tax, according to the Green housing spokesperson.
To support owners in renting out, the Greens want to set up a municipal housing platform. This should offer an "all-inclusive package" and take care of everything from tenant search to lease creation to rent processing. Regarding the rent, the platform should refer to the reference rent according to the Tenancy Law to create affordable housing.
KPÖ also presented housing policy positions
The KPÖ also presented its housing policy positions on Wednesday. The program, developed by Vienna housing researcher Wolfgang Förster, calls for an extensive municipal housing program with at least 5,000 new municipal apartments annually. This should be financed by a housing levy from investors of privately financed buildings and a land levy on undeveloped designated building land. Additionally, the KPÖ demands that landlords must prove the habitability of the house every three years in the form of a "housing sticker." Uninhabitable houses should be "socialized" and made usable again. In the long term, the KPÖ aims for a "socialization of housing" altogether.
(APA/Red)
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