A case like this had never happened to tenant support in Vienna: after a year, a tenant whose apartment had been emptied by the landlady without his knowledge finally received compensation.
In the spring of 2022 everything changed for Wolfgang Schwanke. Because when he came back from vacation, he found his apartment almost completely empty. Even the lock has been replaced. It was only with great difficulty that he was able to gain entry. Although he had always paid his rent on time for more than 20 years and there were no other problems, his elderly landlady was responsible for it.
Personal items are gone
What followed was an incomparable odyssey. Because not only personal items such as certificates and photos were gone, but also most of his furniture. Yet Schwanke always remained honest. With the help of tenants, he went to court. This ordered the owner to return the items – but not all of them were available. A month-long dispute over compensation followed. This has now come to an end.
Compensation of 20,000 euros
The court settlement awarded Schwanke damages of 20,000 euros. In addition, the owner, who has acted unlawfully, must bear the legal costs. The first tranche of 10,000 euros has been transferred to Schwanke, he will receive the rest when he moves in May.
For Ronald Schlesinger of the Tenants’ Aid, the best was achieved: “The negotiations were long and arduous.” Schwanke, who also suffered psychologically from the circumstances, had hoped for more and, above all, more support. And: there is also a musty aftertaste, because the legal options for injured tenants are scarce.
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.
