Heating chaos in Göttingen: tenants freeze in cold apartment block!

Heating chaos in Göttingen: tenants freeze in cold apartment block!

In a residential complex in Göttingen, a defective heating system ensures cool temperatures in the apartments. The heating can no longer be operated due to broken pipes, as the property manager Dominik Fricke reports. Tragically, no service provider is willing to make the necessary repairs without payment up front. The cause of the entire dilemma is the insolvency of an owner, which puts a considerable strain on the financial situation of the homeowners' association. Fricke is pessimistic: “I don’t expect the heating to be repaired before the end of the heating season,” which clouds the prospect of a warm apartment in the cold season.

In order to alleviate the situation at least somewhat, the tenants are provided with radiators for heating. However, this does not apply to the defaulting tenants, who are left empty-handed in this difficult situation. The Göttingen tenants' association doubts the 145 defaulting tenants specified by the property management and argues that turning off the heating is illegal. “There must be no suspension of supply in existing tenancies,” says the association’s clear statement, which is based on current tenancy law.

Responsibilities of landlords

But what obligations do landlords actually have in such a case? According to a report by Test.de, the landlord is responsible for heating the apartment unless the rental agreement states otherwise. During the heating season, the apartment must be heated to comfortable temperatures. In this situation, the tenants could assert a right to a rent reduction, as stated in Immobilienscout24. However, the amount of the reduction depends on the individual case and the tenants must be prepared to assert their claims.

There is also movement at the city level: City spokesman Dominik Kimyon confirmed that the job center usually transfers the rents directly to the landlords in order to avoid rent arrears. The city of Göttingen is monitoring the situation closely and has reached agreements with the homeowners' association to ensure heat supply until the end of the heating season. The question remains whether the radiators provided can adequately cover the heating requirements.

The overall appearance of the property

A third of the apartments in the affected apartment block on Groner Landstrasse are currently empty. There are currently no plans to declare the building uninhabitable. The city recently deferred costs for the owners and is demanding more effective action from the state and federal government to deal with problem properties. The Social Committee supports this call for tougher measures.

How the situation will develop remains to be seen. Tenants are prepared for a chilly winter in their apartments if necessary repairs are not made. There are high expectations in the community that the pressure on the owners will finally lead to a solution.