Rescue for Meidlinger Tenant: Hope for new apartments and repayment

Von WOM

In a strongly delimited apartment block on the Gaudenzdorfer belt in Meidling, some tenants have lived under catastrophic conditions for almost two years. They were parked, the heating and hot water two years ago, and since March they have no running water at all. The 29-year-old Ali, one of the five remaining tenants, rely on getting water from a hydrant nearby to master his everyday life.

originally offered space for around 30 refugees who hoped for safe accommodation. Instead, they were victims of a questionable business model of real estate companies that rent dilapidated buildings and rent them in poor condition. "The tenants are often attracted with false promises and false rental contracts," explains Christian Bartok, head of the tenant aid of the City of Vienna.

a dubious business model

This problem is not an isolated case, but seems to be increasingly common. The companies rent buildings that may not be officially used as living space, but are expelled as office buildings. The residents, especially many refugees, therefore have no right to live in these apartments. "It is a construct of false tenants," emphasizes Bartok.

A special difficulty results from the waiver that the tenants have to sign if they want to leave the building. This would do without the main rent and lose the deposits already done. "This is a hopeless situation for many," says Simone Steiner from the NGO "en Commun" and criticizes that the city of Vienna does not help the affected people sufficiently.

extravagant suggestions without support

The city of Vienna has tried to offer alternatives to the residents, but these are often priceless. Ali, who deposited a deposit of 1,200 euros when moving in and paid a rent of 500 euros for several months, found the apartment offered too expensive. In fact, the city obtained a reduction in rent that allowed those affected to only pay the operating costs, but the living situation remains intolerable. "I can't sleep for a long time, it's too cold," reports Ali. He fights with back problems and psychological stress during the day while his nights are shaped by the cold.

The living environment itself reflects the difficult situation: In the staircase of the building, dirty corridors and open doors can be seen from which garbage flows out. Ali is afraid of his own home and reports of incidents where his door has been broken up several times. "I have the feeling that property is not only neglected, but that people are also sent into the house to cause trouble," he says.

a ray of hope for the tenants

However, there is a glimmer of hope: thanks to legal support, five tenants were able to successfully bring them to light that they are recognized as the main tenant. Bartok states that you do everything you can to get the deposits back and enable residents to move out. However, when this will happen remains unclear.

Ali has clear ideas of his future and dreams of an apartment that at least offers it the most basic needs such as water, heating and electricity. "I just want to live a normal life," he longs for a life in the "most livable city in the world", as Vienna is often described.