The seven state-owned housing companies in Berlin have the mandate to create and provide affordable and safe housing. This will remain our goal in the future.
At the same time, however, the costs for new construction, energy-efficient modernization, and maintenance are rising. To meet this responsibility, a cooperation agreement was concluded with the State of Berlin.
Due to increased costs, moderate rent adjustments are unavoidable.
However, we want to ensure that the rent increases do not represent an unreasonable burden. Therefore, the companies and the State of Berlin have stipulated the following in their cooperation agreement:
Capping the rent increase:
To avoid financial strain, certain limits apply to all households:
Limitation of rent costs based on household income:
Within the applicable income and living space limits, you may spend a maximum of 27 percent of your net household income on net rent.
Rent increases can be reduced to this value upon request if your household's net income does not exceed the income limits relevant for a housing entitlement certificate 220 (WBS).
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…
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 .
The housing benefit reform that came into effect on January 1, 2023, expanded the circle of eligible recipients. However, many households are unaware of their eligibility for housing benefit and thus miss out on financial support. Your eligibility depends on the size of your household, your eligible rent, and your total income. If you do not receive social benefits that cover housing costs, you may be entitled to housing benefit if your housing costs are too high. Check your eligibility with the housing benefit calculator and, if necessary, submit an application to reduce your housing costs.
Housing benefit calculator:
https://ssl.stadtentwicklung.berlin.de/wohnen/wohngeld/diwoformular.shtml
If your net rent (excluding utilities) exceeds 27 percent of your net household income, but your apartment exceeds the permitted living space (see list below), we will calculate 27 percent proportionally to the permitted apartment size:
An additional 12 m² for each additional person belonging to the household.
(Maximum living space limits according to Article 2 § 3 Paragraph 4 WoVG Bln)
No, for special needs groups and recipients of benefits under SGB II and XII, the affordability of the rent is guaranteed.
Not for the group of faces with the same features and the position in the frame SGB II and XII The reliability of the board is guaranteed.
Not for the group of faces with single characteristics and orientation in the framework of SGB II and XII. The reliability of the board is guaranteed.
You can submit an application to reduce a rent increase according to §§ 558, 559 of the German Civil Code (BGB) or to lower your net rent during your current tenancy by letter or email to the customer service center (link to contact search). Alternatively, you can use the following form if you already have all the necessary documents.
A complete overview of required documents can be found here .
You can find our privacy information here .
