Overview of the Issue
The Mieterverein Stuttgart, a tenant association active in Stuttgart, highlights a substantial vacancy problem in the city’s housing market. Their analysis, based on the city’s June‑released “Statistisches Monatsheft 12/24”, reveals that 11 152 apartments are currently vacant, representing a significant untapped resource for alleviating housing shortages and promoting sustainability.
Scale of Vacant Housing
Of the total vacant units, 6 100 have been empty for more than six months, placing them under the city’s “Zweckentfremdungsverbot” (misuse ban). This figure alone equals the amount of new housing built in Stuttgart over six years. Additionally, 4 200 apartments have remained empty for over a year, matching four years of new construction. These long‑term vacancies not only waste existing stock but also increase demand for new builds, contradicting sustainable housing goals.
Comparative Context
When compared with other major German cities facing similar housing pressures, such as Hamburg and Berlin, Stuttgart’s vacancy rate is roughly double. In those cities, municipal authorities and mayors have taken more proactive measures against vacancy, achieving greater success. Stuttgart’s vacancy numbers have remained nearly unchanged between 2011 and 2022, indicating limited impact of the 2016 vacancy ban.
Recovery Efforts to Date
Over eight years, the responsible municipal office has reclaimed only about 400 apartments, averaging 50 units per year. This modest recovery underscores the need for stronger staffing and more vigorous enforcement. The tenant association calls for increased personnel, clearer communication from the mayoral offices, and public engagement through the online vacancy reporting system (poststelle.zweckentfremdung@stuttgart.de).
Hidden Vacancies and Short‑Term Rentals
The association estimates that illegal short‑term rentals, often listed as “hotel substitutes,” remove at least an additional 3 000 apartments from the rental market. Platforms such as Airbnb and ImmoScout have facilitated this practice, despite a registration requirement introduced several years ago that is rarely enforced. From July 2026, a new EU regulation will mandate central registration for all short‑term rentals across Germany, potentially enabling better detection and sanctioning, provided sufficient municipal resources are allocated.
Environmental Implications
Re‑occupying vacant apartments would reduce the need for new construction, conserving building materials and limiting expansion onto greenfield sites. By redirecting existing housing stock to meet demand, the city can lower its carbon footprint and support more sustainable urban development.
Calls for Action
The Mieterverein Stuttgart urges the city to:
- Allocate additional staff to the vacancy enforcement unit.
- Publicise the online reporting tool in official publications and the municipal gazette.
- Educate citizens about the benefits of the misuse ban for housing stability and environmental sustainability.
- Prepare for the July 2026 EU registration mandate by establishing robust monitoring systems.
Key Data Summary
- Total vacant apartments: 11 152
- Vacant > 6 months: 6 100 (equivalent to six years of new builds)
- Vacant > 12 months: 4 200 (equivalent to four years of new builds)
- Reclaimed in eight years: ~400 (≈ 50 per year)
- Estimated hidden vacancies via short‑term rentals: ≥ 3 000 These figures illustrate the sizeable potential for Stuttgart to mitigate its housing shortage and advance sustainable urban living by re‑integrating existing vacant dwellings into the rental market.