Germans protest against rising property rents

Thousands of Germans took to the streets of Berlin on Saturday in protest against rising property rents and called for properties of large-scale landlords to be taken over by the government.

Other protests have been held across Germany’s major cities, including Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich.

Rents in Germany’s capital have doubled over the past 20 years and increased substantially in other cities across the country. Average rent for the smallest apartments in Berlin Mitte (central Berlin) cost approximately €839 per month, while the biggest per square meter on average cost €1890 per month.

A backlash appears to be growing as an organisation targeting real estate groups begins a petition in a bid to push for a referendum on the issue. Support is also growing on banning large landlords is growing, and so too is the idea of turning all property into the hands of social housing.

Via Euronews