Additional exposure explosion in Thuringia: Tenant threatens to overload!

Additional exposure explosion in Thuringia: Tenant threatens to overload!

Gera, Deutschland - In Thuringia, the ancillary costs for tenants could increase to a level that corresponds to that of the cold rents. The Thuringian Housing Economics Association expressed this alarming forecast. Association director Frank Emrich warned: "We will get a significant additional cost problem if not countermeased." The increase in ancillary costs is already noticeable, with a current average of EUR 3.16 per square meter, which depends heavily on the regional energy prices. The regional differences in heating costs, which are an average of 1.36 euros per square meter in Gera, are particularly striking, while they are 2.33 euros per square meter in Sonneberg.

The discussions about increasing additional costs are in full swing. About 50% of tenants in Thuringia live in apartments that are offered by association companies. The current rent in municipal and cooperative housing companies is an average of 5.63 euros per square meter and month. Despite the increase in ancillary costs, the number of rental debtors remains stable, which is partly attributed to the effectiveness of state support.

challenges for the housing market

The Thuringian housing association faces significant challenges. In order to cope with the additional cost problem, suggestions are necessary to improve state subsidies, especially for insulation, windows and roofs. The association also demands incentives for economical energy consumption among tenants. There are high expectations of the " Housing Program 2030 " of the Thuringian state government, which is intended to contribute to the resolutions of housing shortages.

The numbers speak for themselves: Average of around 800 apartments from the rental price binding, which increases the need for social housing. At least 1,000 new social housing is required each year to reverse the current trend. The annual need for government funding is estimated at around 150 million euros, but the current funds only amount to 70 million euros. The allocation of these funding is often slow and complicated, so that only part of the help arrives. In 2024, only 48.9 million euros were invested in new construction projects, which has been the lowest level for many years.

investments in living space

The member companies of the Thuringian Wohnungs and Immobilienwirtschaftsverband (VTW) have made investments of 549 million euros in 2021, which represents an increase of 106 million euros compared to the previous year. These investments are distributed over maintenance and modernizations as well as new construction projects. Even if the demand for apartments is high, the construction costs in large cities in Thuringia, which are around 4,500 euros per square meter, are opposed to affordable rents. In order to ensure socially acceptable rents, rental prices would have to increase to around 17.50 euros per square meter.

In order to improve the Situation on the housing market in Thuringia, in addition to creating new social housing, existing apartments must also be renovated energetically. This is particularly relevant because 90% of the rented apartments are already energetically modernized. In view of the diversified investments and the continuing challenges, the housing industry association remains optimistic that suitable state subsidies can secure the quality of life of the tenants and reduce pressure on the housing market. The goal remains to create affordable living space for everyone and to promote socially acceptable rental development.