Tenants in Flingern under pressure: 20% rent increase and terminations without notice!

Tenants in Flingern under pressure: 20% rent increase and terminations without notice!

In the Cologne district of Flingern, tenants are drawing attention to their tense situation. As Düsseldorf aktuell reports, the residents of four houses that recently experienced a change of ownership are desperate. For years they lived happily with stable rents, but since the sale in the summer of 2023, many of them have had to accept a drastic rent increase of 20 percent, which exceeds the Düsseldorf rent index. While some tenants accepted the increase, others expressed their uncertainty in the form of calls for help to the Alliance for Affordable Housing.

The new owner reported modernization measures in May 2024, which are associated with an estimated cost of 500,000 euros. Another rent increase is probably just around the corner. The announcement brought time pressure and uncertainty to many residents, as they were informed that the modernizations would lead to further rent increases. The owner also offers bonuses for voluntary moves out; Apparently some tenants have already followed these wishes. Alarming: These excerpts appear to be linked to a confidentiality agreement.

Legal situation and termination of exploitation

In this context, many tenants ask themselves about their rights. A possible legal problem is termination of exploitation, which entitles a landlord to end a rental agreement in order to use the property differently. Typical reasons are planned renovations or a change in use. However, it is not enough to simply express economic interest in conversion; The landlord must prove that the continuation of the rental agreement will significantly affect him economically. The courts also take a close look at whether the termination is sufficiently justified Lawyer Weber offers useful information in this context.

For tenants, this means that a termination can be legally challenged if the reason given does not apply or is insufficiently substantiated. Courts have dealt with similar cases, such as the decision of the Potsdam Regional Court, where a termination due to intent to sell was declared invalid if the economic benefit was not given Mietrecht.org.

The human side of rent increases

One of the couples in the block, who has lived in one of the apartments since 1977, was given notice of termination on December 1, 2025 without any explanation. The couple's lawyer considers this termination to be ineffective. The fact is that long tenancies require a notice period of at least one year. In addition, the couple's husband is struggling with health problems after a stroke, which puts additional strain on the situation.

Another worrying aspect is the renovation of the roof, which is not scheduled. Residents report 19 cases of water damage, of which only three were repaired. These worries and inadequate repair measures significantly increase tenants' insecurity. The vacant apartments are now being given to students at higher rents - a clear sign that the properties are being directed in a different direction.

Given all of these developments, it is to be hoped that the city can provide more support for tenants. At the moment, the interests of the owners often seem to be given greater weight, which means that the urgently needed affordable housing is suffering.