The City of Berlin has recently introduced a rent cap after rents doubled over 10 years. But they are still very low compared to other European capitals. The federal government has challenged the law in the courts saying it is unconstitutional. The rent cap was introduced by “Die Linke”, successor of the communist party of East Germany. Three industry experts tell me of their fear it will gradually return the housing stock to the ruinous state of communist times as landlords stop investing. Now campaigners gather signatures for a referendum to expropriate big private and even social landlords.
My report for European current affairs programme, Eòrpa on BBC ALBA on 4/2/21:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000rzvp/eorpa-series-28-episode-8
If you live outside the UK please access my report on youtube:
Andreas G. Wolff, MA - Videojournalist & Polyglot 