Thousands of Government Apartments in Berlin Remain Empty Despite Housing Crisis

Speculative owners keep apartments empty to sell later at higher prices. Delays in renovation and even deliberate damage contribute to the crisis.

, and Administrator

2025 October 1 . 10:01 PM

1 min read

This image consists of a buildings which are on the right side and there is a signal pole. In the... — This image consists of a buildings which are on the right side and there is a signal pole. In the front there is a pole. On the wall there is graffiti.

Thousands of Government Apartments in Berlin Remain Empty Despite Housing Crisis

The Federal Ministry of Finance has disclosed that numerous government-owned apartments remain empty despite the urgent need for affordable housing. This revelation follows an inquiry by Left Party politician Caren Lay.

The ministry's report highlights several reasons for this issue. In Berlin, a significant number of these houses for rent are kept vacant for speculative purposes. Owners aim to sell them later at inflated prices, potentially up to 30% higher. Additionally, renovation phases requiring official permits contribute to the vacancy. In some cases, deliberate damage is caused to force out tenants, allowing for luxury modernisation.

Despite regulations limiting vacancy to three months without approval, these practices continue. This occurs amidst high demand for affordable housing, exacerbating the shortage faced by many residents.

The revelation of thousands of vacant federally-owned apartments in high-demand areas like Berlin raises concerns about the housing crisis. Addressing speculative vacancy, streamlining renovation processes, and enforcing existing vacancy rules could help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing.