Tenants in Thuringia's Major Cities Navigate Increased Costs with Few Rental Arrears
Majority of Thuringians Report No Struggle with Rental Debt - Unpaid rental obligations remain unaddressed by many residents in Thuringia
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In the heart of Germany, Thuringia's renters have faced a challenging rental landscape, yet a vast majority have managed to keep up with their payments. This comes despite the rise in ancillary costs, those pesky extra charges for utilities, maintenance, and sometimes local taxes or fees.
Despite the bump in ancillary costs, just a handful of Thuringia residents have struggled to meet their rent commitments. Among the apartments managed by municipal and cooperative housing companies, around half of all tenants call these places home. Back in 2020, when the Coronavirus pandemic was at its peak, rental arrears added up to 26.5 million euros. That's about 3.1 percent of total rent payments, according to data from the Association of Housing Companies in Erfurt, one of Thuringia's major cities.
"Most folks view housing as a priority," said Frank Emrich, Director of the Association, speaking to the German Press Agency. When tenants fall behind, the companies kick into action with an "early warning system." They reach out to those in arrears rather than jumping straight to aggressive reminders. Close collaboration with social managers often helps to sort out payment issues and find suitable solutions for tenants who are struggling to keep up.
Although rental arrears have fluctuated only slightly over the years, one key reason for the relatively stagnant figures is enhanced state support services, Emrich explained. Increasing numbers of tenants have become eligible for aid due to economic pressures, particularly with the surge in ancillary costs in recent years.
As for the average rent in municipal and cooperative apartments in Thuringia, it currently stands at around 5.63 euros per square meter per month. Added to that are the ancillary costs, which already total 3.16 euros per square meter—with regional differences due to energy prices.
Rare forced evictions despite overdue payments
Evictions due to rental arrears are a last resort for governing bodies and housing companies, Emrich clarified. In 2024, terminations of rental agreements due to tenants' inconsistent payments or other lease violations occurred about 1,000 times, compared to 930 instances in 2021 and roughly 1,600 in 2015. These figures suggest the majority of tenants remain in their apartments despite missed payments.
Enrichment Data (Used sparingly to add depth to the article):
- In Erfurt rentals, ancillary charges typically cover utilities, local taxes, and optional charges like parking. Public data does not point to substantial changes in these fees during the pandemic; however, broader economic pressures could have impacted ancillary costs indirectly.
- If you need precise current figures or more detailed pandemic impact analysis, consulting local rental market reports from Thuringian housing authorities or real estate agencies would be advisable.
In the ongoing efforts to maintain financial stability within Thuringia's community, various housing and cooperative companies have implemented an early warning system to address rental arrears. To assist struggling tenants, these companies collaborate closely with social managers to provide vocational training and job opportunities, thereby improving their economic standing and ability to meet rental commitments.
