Greens Demand Stricter Measures Against Dilapidated Properties in Berlin
Berlin, January 16, 2026 – The Green Party has called on the federal government to take decisive action against neglected and dilapidated properties. According to Katharina Dröge, parliamentary group leader, the consequences for tenants living in such conditions are severe, often involving mold, malfunctioning heating systems, or even vermin.
Dröge emphasized in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition) that this situation cannot continue. “It’s time to end the principle of maximum profit, minimal responsibility. The federal government must finally address the issue of dilapidated properties to improve the condition of neglected homes and ensure dignified living conditions for everyone,” she stated.
Impact on Trust and Democracy
Sylvia Rietenberg, a Green Party politician and member of the Committee for Housing, Urban Development, Building, and Municipalities, highlighted the broader societal impact. She described dilapidated properties that are “left to decay for years” as “poison for trust in the problem-solving capabilities of municipalities and the state as a whole.” Rietenberg added, “This cannot be allowed to happen and endangers our democracy.”
Proposed Solutions: Expanding Urban Development Regulations
To combat this issue, the Greens are advocating for an expansion of urban development regulations. Rietenberg stressed the importance of making pre-emption rights and rights of first refusal genuine instruments of municipal governance. “Currently, they are far too rarely applicable, carry legal risks, and municipalities often have to pay exorbitant speculative prices,” she explained.
The party’s push for these measures aims to empower local authorities to intervene more effectively when property owners neglect their responsibilities, ensuring that housing standards are maintained and residents’ well-being is protected.
The issue of dilapidated properties has been a growing concern in German cities, including Berlin, where housing shortages and rising rents have exacerbated the problem. The Greens’ initiative seeks to address both the immediate living conditions of affected tenants and the long-term impact on urban development and social cohesion.
This call to action by the Green Party underscores a broader debate in Germany about housing policy, tenant rights, and the responsibilities of property owners. The proposed changes to urban development regulations could significantly alter the landscape of property ownership and management, particularly in areas experiencing rapid development or gentrification.
The federal government is now expected to consider these proposals, which could lead to new legislation or amendments to existing laws aimed at curbing the proliferation of dilapidated properties and promoting more equitable and humane housing conditions across the country.
Source: https://www.berlinstory.de/news/gruene-wollen-haerteres-vorgehen-gegen-schrottimmobilien/
