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Cologne tenants' association warns of drastic rent increases in the new rent index: ’Without new construction, housing will become unaffordable’
The rent index for Cologne published today brings it to light: many households in Cologne are facing significant rent increases. Flats in older buildings are particularly affected, especially those built between 1961 and 1975, where rents are rising by around 10% on average. Very large flats of around 120 square metres are also affected by above-average increases - across almost all building age groups.
The Cologne Tenants' Association views this development with great concern. ‘The gap between supply and demand is widening,‘ warns Hans Jörg Depel, Managing Director of the tenants’ association. ‘These rent increases are a consequence of the failed housing policy of recent years.’
The city of Cologne has not achieved its self-imposed target of 6,000 new flats per year in any year. At the same time, the vacancy rate is currently just 0.9%. ‘However, a functioning housing market would require a vacancy rate of at least three per cent,’ says Depel.
‘As long as we lag behind in terms of construction activity, tenants are almost defenceless against rising prices.’
The association criticises the fact that important new construction projects such as Kreuzfeld, Rondorf-Nordwest, Parkstadt Süd and Deutzer Hafen are making little progress. The designation of new, ready-to-build land is long overdue. ‘Affordable housing is not possible without new construction. Anyone who thinks they can do without it is trying to take a shower without getting wet,’ says Depel pointedly. ‘Internal densification alone is not enough. This is just a drop in the ocean.’
Families in particular are increasingly being forced to move to the surrounding area because they can no longer find an affordable and appropriately sized flat in Cologne. ‘The housing market in Cologne is empty. This not only affects low-income earners, but also the middle class,’ emphasises Depel.
At the same time, the tenants' association points out that the rent freeze in Cologne has prevented an even greater increase in rents. ‘Without this important protective measure, prices would have exploded even more in many places. The rent freeze is not a panacea - but it is currently indispensable and must be maintained at all costs,’ says the association's appeal.