Several false registrations from unknown people bring a 61-year-old pensioner in Vienna-Favoriten to the brink of despair. She has now even suffered financial damage as a result. But how can you protect yourself against this?
Pensioner Christine G. has lived alone in a small cooperative apartment in Favoriten for over twenty years. Alone with her Labrador dog “Bella”. At least that’s what the 61-year-old thought. But first things first.
For a few months now, Mrs. G. has been receiving mail from strangers at her address in Favoriten. Initially, the retiree thought nothing of it. After all, that happens every now and then, she says. Only when the number of letters finally increases and they also include important letters from authorities does she become a little suspicious.
Rent benefit rejected because she does not live alone
In March 2024, the minimum pensioner will then apply to MA50 for housing assistance. But her application is rejected. The reasoning? She doesn’t live alone. Mrs. G. is blown away. “The magistrate told me that there were three other people living in my apartment. That was a real shock. At first I thought it was a joke,” says G. desperately. Without her knowledge, three complete strangers had registered in the 48 square meter apartment.
Mrs. G. immediately contacted the police, but they could not help her and referred her to the responsible district office for the 10th arrondissement. At the registration service she is succinctly told that for data protection reasons they cannot provide information about the tenants in her apartment. Because Mrs. G. indicates that she has not signed registration forms for others, the agency then starts an official deregistration procedure against other housemates. With the caveat that it may take several months. Furthermore, no substantive information may be provided about the ongoing procedure.
Particularly brutal: a short time later, Mrs. G. finds a note in her mailbox. One of the unknown housemates asks her to contact her. This concerns medicines that must be delivered to Mrs G.’s address. Postscript: “I was registered with you”.
False registrations are not a trivial offense
In response to a ‘Krone’ request, the responsible municipal service MA62 now says: “The deregistration procedures have been completed. The persons concerned will be logged out again. So Mrs. G. can rest easy.” She has now also received housing allowance. But how can you protect yourself as a tenant?
We asked the Vienna Tenants’ Association about this. According to the tenant protection interest group, Mrs G.’s approach was exactly the right one. If you receive letters or official letters with someone else’s name at your own address, cross out the recipient and mark ‘Unknown’. However, such cases are said to occur again and again and are also increasing. In the case of Mrs G. it can be assumed that her signature has been forged.
Registering a place of residence without actual (actual) housing is in any case punishable and not a trivial offense. This is an administrative violation. This carries a fine of a maximum of 726 euros, or a maximum of 2180 euros if repeated.
But how do I find out who is registered at my address? Apartment owners can request information about the names of all persons registered in their apartment. As a tenant you can contact property management. This person can request information about the names and addresses of all persons registered in the home (on a staircase or in an apartment).
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.
