VNW-Direktor Andreas Breitner: Mietpreisbremse ist nur das zweite Mittel der Wahl – Landesregierung sollte sich stärker um die Wohnnebenkosten kümmern: „Statt eine Mietpreisbremse wäre eine Nebenkoste

The Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state cabinet decided today to extend the rent control measures for the university cities of Rostock and Greifswald until September 30, 2028. This decision follows the extension, decided at the federal level in July 2025, of the legal authorization for states to designate areas with tight housing markets.

Andreas Breitner, Director of the Association of North German Housing Companies (VNW), explains :

"It's good that the Schwerin state government is committed to affordable housing. However, it should proceed in a balanced and careful manner. Approximately half of all rental apartments offered in Greifswald and Rostock are provided by the city-owned housing companies or housing cooperatives located in the cities – the social landlords."

These companies charge significantly lower average monthly net rents than those listed in the local rent index. Furthermore, they only raise rents when absolutely necessary, and even then, the increase is usually well below the permissible average.

A rent control policy will not create a single new apartment.

Social landlords are fundamentally critical of bureaucratic interventions in rent control. State and local governments should primarily focus on creating framework conditions that promote the construction of affordable housing. Rent control measures or lowering the rent increase cap won't create a single new apartment. They are more likely to deter potential investors.

The state government should focus more attention on the so-called "second rent. " Public fees, water prices, and heating costs have risen considerably in recent years. In our view, a cap on ancillary costs would be more sensible than a rent control measure.

11/11/2025

The Association of North German Housing Companies (VNW) represents a total of 473 housing cooperatives and housing associations in Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Schleswig-Holstein. Around two million people live in the 775,000 apartments they manage. The average net rent per square meter for VNW member companies is €6.74. The VNW is the association of landlords with values.