Vacancy in Ebersberg: Housing shortage hits families hard!

Vacancy in Ebersberg: Housing shortage hits families hard!

There is a tense situation on the housing market in Germany. While many people are urgently looking for housing, tens of thousands of apartments are empty. This is also the case in the Ebersberg district, where mayor Michael Eisenschmid noticed a worrying situation. In his district of Altenburg, houses have been uninhabited for several years and he is in contact with the owners to address the problems. The mayor describes the situation as complicated and calls for clearer regulations to combat vacancies. Theresia R. from Moosach has already counted seven empty houses that are hoping for a new owner in her community. Mercury reports that this is symptomatic of a larger problem that can be seen throughout Germany.

The vacancy rate is at a similar level in Munich, where 22,403 apartments remained unused at the time of the census, which corresponds to a rate of 2.4 percent. This rate is considered a “natural” phenomenon and is influenced by various factors, including political regulation and rental trends. Monika Schmid-Balzert from the German Tenants' Association speaks clearly: Every empty apartment is one too many. BR highlights that 465 residential units in Munich were successfully protected from illegal misappropriation last year, but the problems remain.

Causes of the vacancy

One reason for the persistent vacancy is often inheritance disputes and complicated legal hurdles that make it difficult for owners to rent or sell their properties. The Bavarian law on protection against the misappropriation of living space offers municipalities the opportunity to take action against vacancies. However, no corresponding regulations have yet been passed in the Ebersberg district. Mayor Eisenschmid is therefore relying on dialogue instead of rigid regulations and is planning contact with owners and communities of heirs. Mercury mentions this as an important approach to combating the housing shortage.

At the national level, the situation looks even more serious. A study shows that there is a shortage of around 550,000 apartments nationwide. At the same time, many remain empty while demand continues to rise due to immigration and rising costs of living. The shortage of housing is exacerbated by the low number of new buildings, while rents in large cities are rising steeply. bpb informs that in Cologne the average rental price for an apartment in 2023 will be 13.44 euros per square meter.

The look forward

Mayor Eisenschmid's approach is to follow other municipalities and the state government and actively address the problem of vacancies. Measures that go beyond identifying vacancies are urgently needed in order to bring the numerous apartments back onto the market. Andreas Lenz, a CSU member of the Bundestag, also sees the problem, but warns of the bureaucracy that government regulations could create. Nevertheless, the realization remains that vacancies are a nuisance for many people who are urgently looking for an apartment. BR has shown this, and the discussion about clear rules remains on the agenda.

The challenges are diverse: from unclear ownership and the need for renovation to the high construction costs that slow down many construction projects. A rethink is necessary in order to effectively address the housing shortage. The coming years will be crucial in achieving the balancing act between vacancies and a lack of living space and giving people in the Ebersberg region and throughout Germany a roof over their heads.