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Cold apartments in Göttingen: Tenants fight against mold and heating failure
In Göttingen, a dilapidated apartment block is causing a stir: mold, defective heating and legal action against the landlord.
Cold apartments in Göttingen: Tenants fight against mold and heating failure
In Göttingen there are currently significant problems in a block of flats on Groner Landstrasse. Tenant Calina Farcas-Moldovan showed NDR Lower Saxony the worrying conditions of her apartment, which is affected by both defective heating and massive mold. The apartment she lives in with her four children does not meet basic living standards and is characterized by unhygienic conditions. In order to address their plight, the lawyers Sven Adam and Nils Spörkel have initiated urgent proceedings before the Göttingen district and administrative court. They are seeking to have the apartment declared uninhabitable and are demanding immediate accommodation for the family at the landlord's expense.
Coeles GmbH, which acts as the property management company, is under financial pressure and does not expect to be able to repair the defective heaters before the end of the heating season. Managing director Dominik Fricke plans to give electric heaters to tenants, but only to those who have no rent arrears. However, this is a problem because of the 161 tenants in the block, 145 are behind on their payments. The financial pressure is enormous - according to information, a sum of 850,000 euros is required in outstanding rent payments. The situation has led to increased criticism of the property management, while Mayor Petra Broistedt is taking measures to put pressure on the owners.
Criticism of the property management and legal action
In recent weeks, many voices have been raised denouncing the intolerable conditions in the apartment block. There are reports of damp, dark hallways infested with mold, and the cold temperatures in apartments make living there almost impossible. Tenant Calina Farcas-Moldovan describes the condition of her clothing, which is also affected by mold. Lawyer Sven Adam has demanded a complete rent reduction of 100 percent and requested that the heating be repaired immediately. “The conditions are simply unacceptable,” said Adam.
The city of Göttingen is currently examining the declaration of uninhabitability for the affected apartments, but sees high hurdles for this. This could also have far-reaching consequences for the owners. The Housing Protection Act of 2021 is intended to ensure that tenant protection is guaranteed and owners are obliged to meet certain standards. In the event of violations, municipalities can order measures, including declaration of uninhabitability or fines of up to 50,000 euros.
The city explains that there are only 31 tenants who transfer their rents themselves, while the property management reports 40 tenants who divert social benefits for their rents. It is mocked that this indicates welfare fraud, but these allegations contradict the city's explanations. The situation remains tense, and so tenants and the city administration are faced with a major challenge that is not just about numbers, but about people's quality of life.
A third of the apartments in the block in question are empty. While the energetic discussion continues, it remains uncertain how those responsible will deal with the tense housing situation and whether a quick solution for the tenants is in sight.