Tyrol's vacancy tax: Owner under pressure - where is justice?

Tyrol's vacancy tax: Owner under pressure - where is justice?

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The planned vacancy tax of the Tyrolean state government is under violent criticism. According to the Austrian house and landowners' association (ÖHGB) could be up to 30 percent of the specified" basic rental " is determined. This drastic measure is questioned, especially in view of the vacancy rate of 4.7 percent published by Greenpeace in Austria, which is considered unproblematic, since a natural vacancy rate of up to five percent is considered inevitable.

The adjustment of tenancy law is discussed as a supposed solution to tackle the causes of the vacancy. The Tiroler State Government acknowledges that the actual problem itself is not in the existing, but in the existing Tenancy law lies. The ÖHGB President Martin Prunbauer emphasizes the need for a reform: "Austrian tenancy law is already one of the most strictest regulated tenancy laws worldwide. It is highly time to finally free this law from its catches." The high taxes could also affect owners who plan their real estate in the long term for family members.

bureaucratic effort and property rights

In addition, it is doubted that the registered queries for identifying empty apartments are actually efficient. According to the ÖHGB, the numerous possible reasons for vacancy lead to an immense bureaucratic effort without guaranteed success. Prunbauer warns: "The disregard for fundamental rights on property and its successive hollowing out causes severe sociopolitical damage." The intended tax increases could mainly lead to the small owners and, as originally intended, lead to living space mobilization.

The legal framework for such a tax is complicated and could be bound to the principle of equality. A factually justified solution is needed to legitimize high taxes on vacancy. A more flexible housing market could provide more living space by loosening the tenancy rights than any penalty tax, Prunbauer finally states.