Berlin's new Housing Protection Act strengthens tenant rights but leaves gaps
Berlin's Senate has passed a new Housing Protection Act aimed at strengthening tenant rights and simplifying existing regulations. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for debate before becoming law.
The act consolidates changes to three key laws: the Housing Act, the Housing Supervision Act, and the Prohibition of Misuse of Housing Act. Its main goal is to streamline tools for enforcement while making them easier to apply in practice.
A major update requires landlords to report subletting of apartments covered by housing benefit vouchers. They must also disclose current rent levels, though the exact number of affected units remains unclear. Another revision eases rules on misuse, removing the requirement for owners of single-family and two-family homes to provide replacement housing at a fixed initial rent.
However, the law does not introduce mandatory social housing quotas or stricter maintenance obligations. The Berlin Tenants' Association has welcomed some measures but criticised these omissions as significant shortcomings.
The legislation still faces further review as the House of Representatives debates its terms. Any additional adjustments will depend on the ongoing legislative process. Once finalised, the act will reshape how housing protections are enforced across the city.
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