Mold emergency in Bad Oldesloe: City hesitates when it comes to protecting housing!

Mold emergency in Bad Oldesloe: City hesitates when it comes to protecting housing!

A heated exchange has recently broken out in the city of Bad Oldesloe about the implementation of the Housing Protection Act (SHWoSchG). At the center of the discussion is a very moldy three-room apartment in which a mother of three, suffering from cancer, lives with her children. The apartment, which measures 50 square meters, is affected by unhealthy conditions, which, according to reports from the tenant and social worker Jakob Wendebourg, are attributed to defects in the building structure. The landlord, the Lietmeyer Group, denies responsibility and blames the tenant for the condition of the apartment, while a petition has been launched for the rapid application of the Housing Protection Act to improve the situation.

However, the city administration sees its ability to act limited by a lack of human resources and tight job planning in the coming period (probably 2026/27). The required implementation of the SHWoSchG, which has existed since 2022 and gives municipalities the mandate to intervene in cases of acute health risk, is repeatedly formulated as lacking. A corresponding application by the Greens and the petition, which advocates for the well-being of the family, failed with a 5 to 6 vote due to the majority of the CDU and FBO, which causes incomprehension among citizens. A look at Kiel shows that similar problems with so-called junk properties have already been successfully addressed there by consistently enforcing the Housing Protection Act. The city of Kiel has clear statutes and coordinates various actors to ensure minimum living space requirements.

Health and human dignity at risk

In the current case in Bad Oldesloe, the health situation of the affected family is alarming: the mother, under medical supervision, has already submitted certificates demanding an immediate move. An independent building report also confirmed extreme moisture problems in the walls, and the final result is expected on Monday, October 20th. The city administration is heavily criticized for its inaction, as its actions would be necessary in accordance with the SHWoSchG in order to protect both the health of the tenants and their human dignity.

In Germany, the right to housing, as part of the basic social right, is not just a formal recognition, but a serious concern that must be viewed as the basis for a humane life. The UN social pact, to which Germany is also a member, defines the right to housing beyond the mere presence of a roof over one's head and sets requirements for the adequacy of living space. This fundamental human right is recognized by the Federal Constitutional Court. Especially in times when financial burdens are increasing due to rising rents and many people have to live in precarious housing conditions, the urgency of protecting the rights of tenants, especially in crisis situations, becomes apparent.

A call to action

The ongoing petition for the application of the SHWoSchG appeals to the Bad Oldesloe city administration to finally rethink and actively implement the documentation of the applicable laws in order to protect both the health and human dignity of the affected families. The lack of affordable living space is a problem for society as a whole that is not just an issue in Bad Oldesloe. Failure to enforce the Housing Protection Act can have fatal consequences and further destabilize the already fragile housing structure.

The city has a duty not only to respect the legal framework, but also to actively ensure the health of its citizens. By maintaining living space and combating grievances, not only the well-being of the affected family, but also the standards for all citizens in Bad Oldesloe could be improved. The support of society proves to be essential here.

For more information about the topic and the petition, see the website openpetition.de available to deal intensively with the concerns of those affected. The website bpb.de also offers a comprehensive overview of the human right to housing and the legal framework in Germany.

In Bad Oldesloe, active action must now be taken as quickly as possible to protect people's dignity and improve their living conditions. Time is running out.