Die Mieterhilfe der Stadt Wien, who support tenants in Vienna to ensure they are getting a fair deal, examined 2,400 rent contracts and found that on average residents are paying €3.37 per square metre too much every month.
According to them, that adds up to around €8 million that is being overpaid to landlords.
“All those who have signed private and also temporary tenancy contracts are well advised to accurately examine the costs,” said city councillor for housing Michael Ludwig, quoted in Heute. Ludwig added that he hopes a new tenancy law can help put an end to grievances over rent.
Due to high number of social and city-owned housing in Vienna, the rents in the city are quite low when compared to many other European capitals.
The tenant support organisation say, however, that in recent years prices in the private renting market have risen.
In 2014, the Justice Ministry announced new guidelines for rent costs per square metre in the city’s older buildings – Altbau – and said that any landlord that raises rents must explain in writing and in advance what the extra costs are for.
Tenants of these buildings can check how their rent compares to average rates in Vienna using free online tools on the Mieterhilfe website, as well as get advice about their legal rights as tenants and how to negotiate better terms with landlords.
For further tips, check out our top six things to know about renting in Austria.
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