Berlin protesters drag suitcases to fight illegal vacation rentals
Around 50 protesters took to the streets of Berlin's Friedrichshain neighbourhood on Tuesday evening. They dragged suitcases through the area to highlight the impact of short-term vacation rentals on the local housing crisis. The demonstration was part of the city's Housing Action Days, organised by the group Wir bleiben alle Friedrichshain and a local hub at Villa Felix on Schreinerstraße. The protest targeted illegal holiday lets, which many blame for worsening Berlin's housing shortage. In Friedrichshain, activists like Micha from Wir bleiben alle Friedrichshain argue that these rentals push up prices and reduce available homes. Neighbours showed their support by cheering from balconies as demonstrators chanted slogans like 'Homes for those who need them!'
Berlin banned the conversion of residential apartments into short-term rentals in 2014. Yet enforcement remains difficult, with estimates suggesting between 10,000 and 30,000 illegal listings still operating. Since the ban, over 16,000 apartments have been returned to the regular market through administrative action. Another 13,500 proceedings have been launched since 2016, recovering more than 8,100 homes.
Vasili Franco, a Green Party representative, joined the march and criticised unregulated landlords and platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. He called for stricter enforcement, including higher fines and more funding for district staff. Franco also pushed for federal rent law reforms to lower costs. Central districts like Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Mitte remain hotspots, with some listings charging as much as €2,667 for a week in a 'luxury apartment' on Pettenkoferstraße. The protest highlighted ongoing struggles to enforce Berlin's short-term rental ban. While thousands of apartments have been reclaimed, activists and officials agree stronger measures are needed. The city continues to face pressure to address housing shortages driven by illegal holiday lets.
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