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rent increase

Affordability promise

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* This page has been translated via Google's Cloud Translation API. HOWOGE does not edit the content.

The seven state-owned housing companies in Berlin are tasked with creating and providing affordable and secure housing. This remains our goal in the future. Between 2020 and 2024, rents charged by the state-owned housing companies remained virtually unchanged. At the same time, however, the costs of new construction, climate-friendly modernization, and maintenance are rising. To fulfill this responsibility, a new cooperation agreement was concluded with the State of Berlin in October 2023.

Our promise to you:
Due to increased costs, moderate rent adjustments are unavoidable. Some tenants have already received a letter announcing the impending rent increase.
However, we want to ensure that the rent increases do not represent an unreasonable burden. Therefore, we have included an affordability promise in the cooperation agreement:

Capping of rent increases:
To avoid financial overload, certain limits apply to all households:
At…

  • For apartments up to 65 m², the maximum rent increase is 50 euros per month.
  • For apartments between 65 and 100 m², the maximum monthly rent is 75 euros.
  • For apartments up to 125 m² the limit is 100 euros per month.

Limiting rental costs to household income:
In addition, we ensure that you do not have to spend more than 27 percent of your net household income on net rent (excluding utilities). This limit has been reduced from 30 percent to 27 percent to further reduce your rent burden. However, this is subject to certain income and living space limits (according to Article 2, Section 3, Paragraph 4 of the Berlin Housing Act (WoVG)) not being exceeded.
Rent increases can be reduced to this amount upon request if the net income of your household does not exceed the income limits required for a housing entitlement certificate 220 (WBS for short).
You can check whether you fall below this limit using the Senate Administration’s WBS calculator .

In this video, we explain the Affordability Promise and how it benefits you. You can also find more information on the website inberlinwohnen.de .

The housing benefit reform, which came into effect on January 1, 2023, expanded the circle of those eligible. However, many households are unaware of their housing benefit entitlement and thus miss out on financial support. Your housing benefit entitlement depends on the size of your household, your applicable rent, and your total income. If you do not receive social benefits that take housing costs into account, you may be entitled to housing benefit if you are overburdened with housing costs. Check your eligibility with the housing benefit calculator and, if necessary, apply for housing benefit to reduce your housing costs.
Housing benefit calculator:
https://ssl.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/wohnen/wohngeld/diwoformular.shtml


If your net rent is more than 27 percent of your net household income, but your apartment exceeds the permitted living space (list below), we will calculate 27 percent based on the permitted apartment size:

  • 45 m² for a single-person household;
  • 60 m² for a two-person household;
  • 75 m² for a three-person household;
  • 85 m² for a four-person household;

an additional 12 m² for each additional person in the household.
(Living space limits according to Article 2 § 3 paragraph 4 WoVG Bln)


No, the affordability of the rent is guaranteed for special needs groups and recipients of benefits under SGB II and XII.


You can submit a request for a reduction in a rent increase pursuant to Sections 558 and 559 of the German Civil Code (BGB) or a reduction in your net rent during your current tenancy by letter or email to the Customer Center (link to the contact search). Alternatively, you can use the following form if you already have all the necessary documents.

Possible documents are

  1. Income from employment in the last 12 months
  2. Income from pensions and/or company pensions
  3. Income from pensions (e.g. LVA, BfA, BVG)
  4. Income from wage replacement benefits (e.g. unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, parental allowance)
  5. Income from BAföG, gifted education, vocational training assistance according to AFG or similar.
  6. Transfer payments (including SGB II, housing benefit, accommodation costs, etc.)
  7. Benefits under the Maintenance Advance Act, from statutory maintenance; childcare costs
  8. Other income, benefits in kind
  9. Income from capital assets
  10. Income from renting/leasing
  11. Income from self-employment
  12. Income from commercial operations/agriculture and forestry
  13. Housing benefit
  14. Degree of disability and proof

A complete overview of required documents can be found here .


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