125 years of the Cologne Tenants' Association: for strong tenants' rights, affordable housing and a fair future

The Cologne Tenants' Association can look back on 125 years of dedicated work that has made a significant contribution to improving the housing situation and protecting tenants' rights. From the fight against housing misery in the 19th century to current challenges such as rising rents and housing shortages - the association has always played a central role in housing policy. Through continuous commitment, political influence and close co-operation with its members, the tenants' association has repeatedly achieved significant successes. Its history demonstrates the importance of tenant protection and social housing in Cologne and beyond. Today, the association's mission remains clear: to secure affordable housing, strengthen tenants' rights and find sustainable solutions for the future. The anniversary is not only a look back at past successes, but also an incentive to continue to actively stand up for tenants' rights and to face the challenges ahead with just as much commitment.

From the beginnings to the present day
 

In the 19th century, housing misery and extensive lack of rights for tenants prevailed. Landlord organisations ruthlessly asserted their economic interests and tenancy agreements were often concluded arbitrarily. At the same time, mass tenancy construction was on the rise, accompanied by land speculation, causing prices to explode - it was high time to act.

With the introduction of the German Civil Code (BGB) in 1900, the first self-help organisations emerged in Germany to strengthen tenant protection. In Cologne, however, a model tenancy agreement from the homeowners' and landowners' association ensures that many of the BGB improvements are reversed. A clear call to action becomes necessary.

A look back at the first 100 years

Since its foundation in 1900, the Cologne Tenants' Association has been campaigning for the rights of tenants. Originally founded as a reaction to disadvantageous tenancy agreements, the association quickly developed into a strong voice for affordable housing and social housing. Early on, the association campaigned for better housing conditions, the construction of co-operative housing and tenant protection.

In the 1950s, Cologne was the headquarters of the newly founded German Tenants' Association. The introduction of the Cologne rent index in 1974 was an important milestone, as was the continuous expansion of the association's territory. Today, the Cologne Tenants' Association looks after over 50,000 members and offers comprehensive advice and support in all matters relating to tenancy law.

Our mission remains: to secure affordable housing and strengthen tenants' rights – then as now.

The Cologne Tenants' Association since 2000

Over the past 25 years, the Cologne Tenants' Association has consistently continued its work and at the same time taken on new challenges. In addition to day-to-day legal advice, the focus has always been on representing political interests.

The coronavirus pandemic brought about far-reaching changes in advice, but it also accelerated digitalisation and the introduction of flexible advice models. Housing shortages and rising rents remained key issues, while new challenges such as climate protection and sustainable living emerged. Our commitment to affordable housing, social justice and sustainable solutions remains.

The strong membership base has always been a hallmark of the Cologne Tenants' Association. In the last 25 years, the number of members has grown from around 55,000 to almost 70,000 - one of the highest mobilisation rates in Germany. This means that the association represents over 131,000 people in Cologne and the surrounding area.

The tenants' association has consistently campaigned for tenants' rights – from fees to housing policy. 

Thanks to its influence, fee increases were limited, unjustified additional charges were prevented and longer notice periods for conversions were extended. The association also advanced important issues at state and federal level, such as the merger of the state associations in NRW and housing policy demands on the government. Talks with politicians, administrators and housing companies served to promote direct dialogue and represent the interests of tenants. Climate protection remained a particular concern. The tenants' association campaigned for sustainable solutions in housing construction and called for greater social housing subsidies.

The demand for more affordable housing remains a key issue for the Cologne Tenants' Association. The association is continuously campaigning for more new construction and against the housing shortage, especially for students and low-income earners. Despite initiatives and major rallies, the target of 6,000 new flats per year was never achieved. The situation was exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and rising construction prices. A housing protection statute was introduced in 2021, but major projects are still a long time coming.

Through campaigns such as "Mietenstopp!", he called for stricter rent regulations to reduce the rising rent burden on many households. The regularly updated rent index for Cologne and the region, based on 36,000 data records, provides an objective basis for comparison and helps to limit rent increases. The tenants' association also supports immigrants and refugees with the "Guide to Housing in Cologne", a multilingual brochure that provides helpful information on tenancy law, ancillary costs and finding accommodation.

In 2001, Cologne City Council decided to sell 41,000 council flats owned by GAG and Grubo. The Cologne Tenants' Association warned of rising rents and the loss of social control options and initiated a citizens' petition. Despite collecting 65,056 signatures, the petition was rejected by the city council. In 2002/2003, the planned sale to a London-based private equity company failed because three CDU councillors voted against it. The tenants' association saw this as a success for affordable housing. In 2015, the tenants' association supported the buyback of 1,200 flats in Chorweiler by GAG. While the sale was prevented in Cologne, the state-owned LEG was privatised in 2006 despite protests. The tenants' association continues to campaign for the preservation of social housing. 

The Cologne Tenants' Association is an important voice in the public debate on housing and tenancy law issues. It is regularly represented in the media and sets its own topics through press conferences, e.g. on the designation of building land and the reduction of bureaucracy. The number of counselling sessions has risen steadily in recent years, with the association being particularly active in the areas of operating costs, housing defects and rent reductions. It also co-operates with the Cologne Social Welfare Office to solve social rental problems.