The Union caucus says that the draft tenancy‑law bill from Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) still needs some tightening. Deputy caucus leader Günter Krings told the Funke media group that the text “needs adjustments in a few places”. He pointed out that index rent calculations and short‑term lease contracts should be revised; otherwise a provision that could be good for tenants would become unattractive overall.
Transparency around furnished rentals is seen as a good idea, but the hard‑coded five‑percent “flat fee” could spark new conflicts. Under Hubig’s proposal, the furnishing surcharge would only be considered appropriate if it does not exceed 5 % of the net cold rent when the property is fully equipped.
Krings also wants explicit rules for the planned grace‑period payment, insisting that it should be targeted where homelessness is a risk. “Small landlords must also be protected from tenants who refuse to pay” he said. The increase of the limit for minor modernisations to €20 000, as in the draft, is described as correct because construction and craft costs have risen sharply.
Finally, Krings warned that merely amending the tenancy law will not solve the housing crisis. “What matters is that measures actually help and do not block investment” he said. The Union caucus aims to stabilise rents by making housing construction faster, easier and cheaper.
