The escalating housing crisis across Germany and wider Europe is receiving renewed scrutiny, with leading representatives of tenant and landlord associations now publicly demanding stricter regulations on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb. Melanie Weber-Moritz, president of the German Tenants’ Association (Deutscher Mieterbund), has voiced urgent concerns over the lack of transparency and the detrimental impact on available housing stock.
Weber-Moritz’s call for action, echoed in publications of the Funke-Mediengruppe, highlights a growing frustration with the unchecked expansion of short-term rentals. She advocates for the swift implementation of EU guidelines concerning data collection and registration of these properties, emphasizing the need for the government to rigorously pursue proposals from the Federal Council that seek to cap short-term rentals at six months and prohibit “chain contracts” – arrangements that facilitate complex subletting schemes.
Beyond regulatory alignment with EU directives, Weber-Moritz argues for a comprehensive nationwide ban on the conversion of residential housing into short-term rental properties. This ‘purpose alienation ban’ would empower municipalities to proactively control the market and mitigate the withdrawal of essential long-term housing options. She further demands an end to practices that circumvent the existing rent control measures, illustrating the system’s vulnerability to exploitation.
Kai Warnecke, president of “Haus und Grund” the German Confederation of Owners’ Associations, takes a slightly diverging, yet equally critical perspective. He proposes a “Lex Airbnb” – a specific legal framework dedicated to directly addressing the problem. Warnecke points to a concerning trend where tenants are strategically remaining in their original leases, despite relocating, to profit from short-term subletting, exacerbating the shortage of affordable housing, particularly in high-demand areas. His proposal for a European-wide prohibition on such short-term subletting is accompanied by a counter-argument regarding the broader housing market, where he believes excessive regulation has contributed to the current crisis. Warnecke stresses the need for a significant boost in new construction to alleviate the pressures.
The diverging viewpoints, though united on the necessity of intervention, illuminate a complex political landscape. While Weber-Moritz focuses on protecting tenant rights and preserving affordable housing, Warnecke raises concerns about the stifling effects of overregulation and champions increased construction. The debate underscores the growing tension between the burgeoning short-term rental industry and the fundamental right to access stable and affordable housing across Germany and beyond.
