Overview

• The Berlin Senate has amended the Wohnraumgesetz, significantly increasing penalties for landlords violating subsidized housing rules.
• Fines for overcharging tenants in subsidized housing have been tripled to €15 per square meter per month to enhance deterrence.
• Penalties for breaching information duties and misusing subsidized housing have been raised to €10,000 and €100,000, respectively.
• A new rule prevents tenants from receiving both rent subsidies under the Wohnraumgesetz and Wohngeld simultaneously, addressing criticism from the Berliner Rechnungshof.
• The amendments also respond to high-profile cases like the Europacity dispute, where contracted social housing units were not built, prompting legal action.