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CRIME

Brunnenmarkt murder ‘could have been prevented’

The random murder of a 54-year-old woman in Vienna earlier this year could have been prevented if the homeless and mentally disturbed man who killed her had been admitted to a psychiatric institution, a police investigation has concluded.

Published: 25 October 2016 11:54 CEST

Brunnenmarkt murder 'could have been prevented'

Locals remember the murdered woman. Photo: Wien Caritas

The woman was brutally murdered early one morning in May, with an iron bar in Vienna’s Brunnenmarkt. 21-year-old Francis N. suddenly attacked and killed the mother-of-three as she was on her way to work with a colleague.

The authorities were criticised following the murder after it was revealed that Francis N. was an illegal immigrant – originally from Kenya – who was known to the police. He came to Austria legally in 2008 but overstayed his visa and had been reported for 18 previous offences since 2010.

In 2013 he spent some time in jail after being found guilty of coercion and causing bodily injury.

Just weeks before the murder, he was seen in the Hungerbergstrasse in Döbling, with his trousers around his ankles and an axe in his hand. Police noted the incident but did not arrest him.

Helfried Haas, the head of the special commission which investigated the case said that: “We had information about him but the various police departments didn’t share this information so there was no uniform picture which might have led to the conclusion that he was suffering from a mental illness and needed psychiatric help.”

Haas said that the commission will now work to make improvements in this area, including special psychiatric training for police officers.

The Federal Office for Asylum was aware that Francis N. was in Austria illegally and had ordered his deportation a few years ago but it had not been carried out.

How do I lower my rent if I pay too much in Vienna?

Vienna is known for offering its residents affordable rents. However, if you live in one of the older apartments in Vienna (Altbau), you should know that there is a limit on how much rent can be charged per square meter.

Some landlords rent out their flats more expensively than they are actually allowed to. The City of Vienna’s rent calculator can help you determine if you are paying too much.

If you believe that your rent is too high, there are three different options on how to bring it down and also get the money back from the time when you paid too much.

Hire a company to take on your case

In Vienna, several companies, known as Prozessfinanzierer in German, will take on your case individually and try to reduce your rent. This could not only result in a lower rent for the future but also in you receiving a refund for the period you overpaid. It is even possible to pursue this after you leave your apartment.

However, the City of Vienna has warned against using these services. If you are successful, the companies could claim a great portion of the refunded money, ranging from 30 percent to even half. MeinBezirk also reported occasions when employees of these companies have gone door to door, pretending to be city officials to secure contracts with excessively high commission payments.

Tenant protection organisations argue, as cited in Der Standard, that the companies may prioritise their profits over the best interests of tenants, negatively impacting tenant-landlord relationships.

However, these companies typically operate on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis, which means that you do not have to pay anything if the reduction attempt is unsuccessful.

READ MORE: Gemeindebau: How do you qualify for a social housing flat in Vienna?

Get help from the Mietervereinigung

Another option is to get help from the Mietervereinigung. This is a tenants’ association that supports tenants’ rights and interests. A yearly membership costs around €69 in Vienna (it also operates in Austria’s other federal states).

Once you are a member, you can go to them for help. They will assist you with claiming back your rent if you have been overpaying, and can also help with rental problems such as mould, contracts, painting, disputes with landlords and housing standards.

The association also offer education and information to help you understand your rights and responsibilities under landlord-tenant laws. This includes workshops and seminars about topics related to housing rights and regulations.

The association is also known for publishing guides, brochures, and online resources with practical tips for dealing with common rental issues.

The Mietervereinigung offers services and guidance for its members over the phone, online or through meetings in person.

Altbau in Alsegrund, district 9 in Vienna. Photo by Melloo on Unsplash

Do it yourself

The third option you have as a tenant is to go to the arbitration board yourself.

The arbitration board is an independent entity established to help resolve conflicts between tenants and landlords outside of the court system. However, this can sometimes be complicated.

You often need certain legal expertise to be successful and the process can be complex and time consuming.

READ NEXT: How does urban gardening work in Vienna?

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