Germany is planning new rules to rein in high rents on furnished apartments, limit short‑term leases and cap inflation‑linked rent increases.
On Wednesday, the Federal Cabinet approved a draft bill designed to curb excessive rent surcharges in furnished apartments and reduce costs for short‑term tenants.
If it becomes law, the bill would require any furniture surcharge to be listed separately from the base rent. It would also introduce new limits on short‑term leases and restrict rent increases linked to inflation.
The aim, according to Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD), is to close “gaps in social rental law” that allow landlords to bypass existing tenant protections.
In future, there are to be “clear and transparent” rules on what is allowed for furnished apartments and short‑term rentals, helping to prevent the circumvention of rent caps.
