Mieterbund Ostwestfalen-Lippe und Umgebung e.V. is a regional tenants’ association based in Bielefeld, in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is affiliated with the state association of tenants’ organisations in North Rhine-Westphalia and, through it, the German Tenants’ Association (Deutscher Mieterbund). 3
The association provides members with information and legal advice on tenancy matters, including rent agreements, service-charge statements, termination notices, repairs and housing defects. It also offers advice by telephone, in person and online. 1112 Its stated purpose is to protect tenants’ rights and support secure housing at affordable rents. 11
Its services extend across the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region and surrounding area: the association reports serving about 18,000 people and having offices in eleven cities. 11 Bielefeld is its headquarters; other listed service locations include Paderborn, Gütersloh, Lippstadt, Detmold, Bad Oeynhausen, Bad Salzuflen, Bünde, Ahlen and Höxter. 315 Alongside individual advice, the association says it engages in political and public advocacy on tenants’ interests. 1314
The association’s current board chair is Regina Kopp-Herr, a former member of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament. The other members of the executive board named on its website are deputy chairs Joachim Knollmann and Thomas Möller, and assessors Markus Kollmeier, Onur Ocak and Hans-Georg Pütz. 1 The association’s website states that it has existed since 1986. 4