Stairs instead of Elevator Fix: Elderly Residents' Struggle in Hamburg
A neighborly note on the elevator door reads, "Safety inspection - the elevator will be available again shortly. Thanks for your patience." But for the past 21 weeks, the elevator in an eight-stoery building in Eidelstedt district, Hamburg, hasn't been back in service. And the building's inhabitants - many of whom are elderly and struggle with mobility - aren't feeling particularly grateful.
Instead of promptly fixing the elevator, the landlord opts for an alternative: placing chairs on floor landings. For the building's residents, this cruel joke has proven to be anything but a comfort.
Consider Jordana Jankowsky, 82, who lives on the 6th floor. Obstacles and disabilities make her reliant on a mobility frame. Climbing 90 stairs to reach her apartment takes 35 grueling minutes. Add shopping to the equation, and the effort becomes an arduous ordeal.
"I go out three times a week," she shares. "I must - I have appointments and need to stock up on food. I hope something happens soon. This situation is inhumane for us the disabled."
From Apartment to Prison
It's a stark reality that is all too familiar to Daniela Haas, 63. Wheelchair-bound and living on the 8th floor, she hasn't set foot outside her apartment since the end of June.
"It's like being trapped in a prison," she admits, tears welling in her eyes. "I often cry and I'm already depressed, going crazy in my mind. My fiancé saves me - without him, I'd be lost."
Haas repeatedly reaches out to the housing association "Bauverein der Elbgemeinden" (BVE).
"They put you off and blame the elevator company," she explains, "saying there are no spare parts. We tried to negotiate a rent reduction once with several tenants, but they refused." In fact, the BVE raised rental fees by 26.66 euros at the start of November - an absurd move taken while the inhabitants were still unable to use the elevator.
The Landlord's Take
When asked for their perspective, Sönke Petersen from the BVE offered the following explanation:
"We are aware of the distress caused by the disruption of the elevator system. We have called in an expert and the manufacturer for assistance, and we have a new on-site appointment scheduled for this week. We expect the elevator system to be functioning once more by the end of the week."
However, many residents remain skeptical of this claim.
"I can't even count the number of times I've heard they'll have it fixed by next week," laughs Haas. "But nothing ever happens. For the first few weeks, it would work for a couple of hours or at night. But since August, it's been completely stationary. It's infuriating and leaves you feeling incredibly powerless."
Tenant Rights and Solutions
If you find yourself in a similar situation, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the tenant rights in your area and local regulations. Consulting with tenant associations or legal experts can provide valuable insights. Gathering documentation of the elevator breakdown, as well as any communications with the landlord, can be instrumental in any potential legal proceedings.
