New rental reforms from September: More security for tenants in Austria!

New rental reforms from September: More security for tenants in Austria!

Austria plans to have extensive reforms in the area of rental contracts that are to be implemented in September 2025. Residential Minister Andreas Babler announced that these new regulations aim to promote stable and long -term tenancy. In recent years, an increase in temporary rental contracts has been recorded, which underlines the need for these reforms. BABLER emphasizes that living space has to be regarded as a basic need and not as a speculative object in order to counteract the current challenges on the housing market.

The relevant changes include the extension of the minimum limitation of rental contracts from three to five years. In addition, the government will start a digitization offensive to accelerate construction processes and also introduce tax incentives and funding programs for energy -based renovations. The aim is to create affordable living space and to strengthen the construction economy. The purpose of the residential building funding is also to be reintroduced to ensure that these funds are actually used in favor of the tenants.

measures for rental price brake

A central question in the current apartment debate is the rental price brake, the extension of which has recently been decided by the Bundestag. This regulation should remain in force by December 31, 2025 and is designed to support households with small and medium -sized incomes. Chancellor Merz has described affordable living as one of the most important social issues. In the future, the permissible rental amount will be limited at the beginning of the tenancy by the end of 2029. In the beginning, the rent may be a maximum of 10% above the local comparison rent in particularly tense residential areas.

These measures are intended to ensure that families, pensioners and young people are not disproportionately burdened. However, the rental price brake does not apply to new buildings that were used and rented for the first time after October 1, 2014. This is also intended to strengthen the motivation for new buildings in order to counteract the existing lack of living space.

demands of the tenant organizations

The German Tenants' Association has repeatedly emphasized that affordable living space should have top priority in future government formation. The rent crisis is a considerable risk, especially for households with low and medium -sized incomes. According to current numbers, more than a third of the 21 million tenant households pay more than 30% of their income for rent and heating costs. Therefore, a determined framework for tenancy law reforms and sufficient new construction and maintenance of affordable apartments is urgently required.

In view of the stagnating new construction numbers and rising rents, the living situation becomes increasingly critical for many. The President of the German Tenants' Association, Lukas Siebenkotten, offers expertise for discussions and exchange of ideas to cope with the challenges of the housing market together.