Mietpreisbremse verlängert, Wohnungsmisere fortgeschrieben (Haus & Grund Aachen)

The article, published by Haus & Grund Aachen – the regional landlords’ association – analyses the recent extension of Germany’s Mietpreisbremse (rent brake) and its impact on housing markets. Haus & Grund, represented by Prof. Dr. Dr. Peter Rasche, positions itself as a technical expert on construction and a critic of what it describes as “symbolic” rent‑control policies. The piece draws on statements from association officials, local politicians and industry experts to illustrate the perceived shortcomings of the policy.

Following a Bundestag decision, the Bundesrat approved the continuation of the rent brake, now projected to run until at least 2029. The extension has been welcomed by the ruling Union and SPD parties but condemned by Haus & Grund and its affiliates in Aachen and Alsdorf. Critics argue that the measure fails to address the root cause of housing unaffordability – insufficient new construction – and instead hampers investment incentives.

The article cites multiple studies indicating that the rent brake not only misses its affordability target but also deters investment in new rental units. The EU Commission has issued warnings about the policy’s potential to reduce housing supply. According to the text, two‑thirds of rental properties in North Rhine‑Westphalia are owned by private landlords, a group that, according to Haus & Grund, requires better access to land, reduced bureaucracy and a simplification of building regulations to resume investment.

Haus & Grund advocates for a shift from price caps to active promotion of new, affordable housing. Walter Eilert and Tobias Hundeshagen stress that sustainable urban development depends on expanding the stock of energy‑efficient, well‑planned homes. They suggest measures such as lowering the Grunderwerbsteuer (real‑estate transfer tax), easing land‑use restrictions and streamlining building codes as essential to stimulate construction that meets environmental standards.

In North Rhine‑Westphalia, the Mietpreisbremse is implemented through the NRW‑Mieterschutzverordnung. Its extension until the end of 2025 was previously criticised, and the latest Bundesrat decision signals a likely prolongation to 2029. The article highlights concerns that the policy could exacerbate housing shortages for lower‑income households while inadvertently benefiting higher‑income renters who face reduced rents without a corresponding increase in supply.

For a pan‑European audience interested in sustainable housing, the piece underscores the importance of policy frameworks that encourage new construction rather than restrict rents. It presents the German landlords’ association’s perspective that effective affordability solutions lie in expanding the housing stock, improving land‑availability, and simplifying regulatory procedures, all of which can contribute to greener, more resilient urban environments.