In 2022, rents have been increased several times in individual categories of apartments. Many can no longer bear the costs. In addition, some of the landlord’s demands are simply exaggerated. We know where to get help.
Since April 2022, tenants of old buildings must pay a minimum of 6.16 euros per square meter per month. From April 1, 2023, the rent will increase again by more than eight percent. For category rents, this was even more than 17 percent last year. For tenants with category interest, things were even worse. These are mainly people in apartments in old buildings where the lease was signed between 1982 and 1994. The rent is automatically increased if the consumer price index rises by more than five percent. In 2022 this was the case three times, rents rose by 17.5 percent in one year – and the next increase will come in April. But that is not everything.
Whole range of premiums
In addition to the purely guideline value, there are a number of surcharges: for example, for the location of the apartment within the building, for the state of maintenance, for facilities (telephone, intercom, washing machine connection, elevator) and depending on the location in the city. Of course, this does not only apply to tenants in old or municipal buildings. Many Viennese families are now threatened with financial collapse because of the extremely high costs of food, energy and other areas. But what do you do if you can no longer pay the rent?
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- The “living umbrella” of the Ministry of Social Affairs supports tenants who can no longer pay their rent in the course of the pandemic and are therefore threatened with eviction if they lose their home. In addition, there is now support for inflation-related energy cost arrears. 134 million euros will be made available for this purpose. All info on wohnschirm.at
- Weners can apply for rent allowance from MA 50 if you have a certain minimum income. mail to wohnbeihilfe@ma50.wien.gv.at
- Private rent too high for an old building: You can use the benchmark rent calculator of the city of Vienna to check whether your own rent is correct. If you overpay, the city’s housing arbitration board will help. Written requests to: ks@ma50.wien.gv.at
Have rental claims checked
Compared to 2021, the number of consultations with the tenants’ association has increased by about 30 percent in 2022 – an effect of the wave of inflation, because last year almost all tenants were affected by increases. “Many are currently coming by after an increase and want us to check whether everything is correct,” reports the tenants’ association. But what should a Viennese look out for in such a case, we asked tenancy law expert Marisa Herzog-Perchtold.
Tips from the Tenants Union
Is there a value guarantee agreement in the rental agreement? Is the retention of value clause in effect? This is usually the case if the clause is formulated in a transparent and comprehensible manner. For example, it does not work if a reference month has been agreed that is too far in the past. It is common practice to maintain value based on a benchmark or consumer price index, taking into account a threshold value. If this is exceeded (for example 5 percent), a rent increase can be requested.
Exact deadlines
Does the increase correspond to the value protection agreement? Has the increase been calculated correctly? If the Rental Act applies, the landlord must announce the increase in writing 14 days before the interest date. If letters arrive late, the increase will be postponed by one month. A premature letter has no legal effect.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
