Authorities Are Cracking Down on Hired Sharks within the Urban Area
In the bustling city of Vienna, a series of measures have been introduced to tackle speculative real estate practices that negatively impact tenants. The initiatives, spearheaded by Deputy Mayor and Housing Councillor Kathrin Gaál, aim to promote sustainable solutions and prevent exploitative practices.
One of the key measures involves mandatory regular checks and documentation obligations regarding the elimination of building defects. This ensures that landlords are held accountable for maintaining their properties in a safe and habitable condition. The city intervenes in cases of gross negligence, up to and including the appointment of compulsory administration, but it is the landlord who bears the cost of these interventions.
The Tenant Assistance of the City of Vienna has been actively rectifying maintenance issues, such as removing trip hazards, securing electrical lines, and repairing holes in floors. This proactive approach is aimed at creating a safer living environment for tenants and combating the neglect of buildings, a strategy often used in residential speculation to "evict" residents.
Vienna's revised building code also plays a critical role in combating "economic demolition," a practice where buildings are deliberately neglected or altered to force tenants out so the property can be sold or redeveloped for profit. The updated building code intends to end this by tightening regulations on building maintenance and usage, thereby protecting tenants from eviction tactics aimed at increasing rents or changing tenancy conditions for speculative gain.
These measures are part of a broader housing strategy in Vienna that includes strong rent control, just-cause eviction protections, and generous eligibility for social housing. This framework ensures tenant stability and affordability, reinforcing Vienna's model as a "renters' utopia" where housing is treated as a right rather than a commodity.
Since 2023, no "economic demolition" has been granted by the Building Police, and no demolition may take place without a permit. The city can now enforce necessary maintenance work on the civil law route according to § 6 of the Rental Housing Act (MRG). Allowing buildings to deteriorate until only the wrecking ball can come is no longer an option due to amendments in the Building Code since 2023.
The city's pressure is causing movement among speculators, who are either actively engaged in necessary maintenance work or selling buildings to owners willing to invest. Moreover, subtenants who had their rental rights undermined by straw men have been recognized as main tenants, further strengthening tenant protections in Vienna.
These initiatives demonstrate Vienna's commitment to protecting its tenants and creating a fair and sustainable housing market. As the city continues to lead the way in renter-friendly policies, it serves as a beacon for other cities looking to address the challenges of speculative real estate practices.
The commitment to fair and sustainable housing in Vienna extends to addressing speculative practices in politics and policy-and-legislation, as demonstrated by the ban on "economic demolition" since 2023. This move aims to prevent landlords from evicting tenants through neglected building conditions, a strategy often employed in speculation.
The city's proactive approach to maintaining buildings and recognizing subtenants as main tenants is a response to the general-news of speculation in the real estate market, aiming to create a tenant-friendly environment that emphasizes legal accountability and prohibits exploitative practices.
