After a long back and forth, the ÖVP and the Greens have finally agreed on the reform of brokerage fees. And on Saturday it’s finally time: the ordering principle now applies to the rental of apartments. Violations by landlords can lead to high fines.
Especially in times of rising prices, the new reform could be a great relief for future tenants. From Saturday 1 July, people looking for an apartment only have to pay the brokerage fee for arranging a rental apartment if they have ordered the search for an apartment. So anyone who needs an apartment from Saturday can take advantage of the new change.
Help for low-income people
The new reform is intended to relieve young people and people with low incomes in particular. Secretary of State for Youth Claudia Plakolm added that students and trainees will also benefit greatly. As a rule, about two months’ rent would have to be paid, which the tenants would have to pay.
Commission-free living must become the norm
According to MP Tomaselli, circumvention should be largely impossible with the amendment. A protective screen for tenants was installed. Agreements between landlords and estate agents are therefore inadmissible, as are those with property managers. If apartments are advertised publicly, the landlord is in any case liable for commission, as Tomaselli further explained. The amendment aims to ensure that “commission-free living becomes the norm”.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
