On behalf of the city of Vienna, detectives have uncovered hundreds of social abuses. The perpetrators are thrown out and sometimes have to bear high costs. There are no real penalties. Is this just the tip of the iceberg?
Social housing should be there for people who need it. Do not illegally sublet them through internet platforms or in any other way. Neither for tourists nor for relatives who visit Vienna occasionally. This is social abuse. But it happens again and again in community housing as the needy wait months or even years for cheap housing.
30 cases already pending in court
That’s why the city of Vienna commissioned a detective agency almost a year ago to track down criminals and secure evidence. They found plenty: more than 100 suspects have been identified, 30 cases are already pending in court and six evictions have been carried out. Get on.
Those convicted will be kicked out and have to bear the costs of the proceedings. This can amount to several thousand euros. However, there is no penalty for the actual abuse. That should lower the inhibition threshold for some renters.
Just the tip of the iceberg?
So the more than 100 cases could be just the tip of the iceberg. For Deputy Mayor Kathrin Gaál (SPÖ) it is clear that the professional sniffers will remain busy. “The successful deployment of detectives ensures that suspicious cases can be checked professionally. And that decisive consequences will be imposed on those who do not follow the rules. Because anyone who deliberately breaks the rules in municipal housing abuses the city’s supply of affordable housing,” says the alderman for housing.
Observe, ask, document
And that’s how it usually works: Neighbors report something suspicious to Wiener Wohnen. When the main tenant can’t credibly explain why strangers keep coming in and out of his apartment, the Sherlocks move in. They observe, ask questions, document. If the person caught does not clear the field themselves, a lawsuit will be filed. The statements and documents of the detectives carry weight for the judge. Dismay!
Airbnb in particular is a thorn in the side of the city in that regard. Vienna requires the mediation platform to provide addresses and personal data. However, the online giant waved it off after brief negotiations. The dispute is now being settled in the Supreme Court.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
