Despite ongoing public discussions about housing shortages and rising rents, the majority of the German population expresses satisfaction with their living situation. A representative survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy on behalf of Heimstaden Germany GmbH confirms that 89 per cent of respondents are either “very satisfied” (38 per cent) or “satisfied” (51 per cent) with their living arrangements. Only 9 per cent stated they were less or not at all satisfied. This figure has remained constant over the past two decades. Specifically among tenants, satisfaction stands at 83 per cent, representing a clearly positive assessment.
Dr. Thomas Petersen, project manager at the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy, noted that the results paint a different picture from what public reporting often conveys. Jakub Mika, Managing Director at Heimstaden, emphasised the relevance of a reliable data basis for a fact-based housing policy discussion. He underlined that, as a long-term oriented housing provider, they wanted to gain clarity on actual tenant experiences. Commissioning an independent institute should be understood as a foundation for transparency and fact-orientation.
The public perception of real estate companies as profit-oriented and tenant-unfriendly is relativised by the survey results. Properties owned by real estate companies show the lowest proportion of dissatisfied tenants, at just 12 per cent. Professional providers also lead in specific quality aspects. Dr. Petersen summarised that, from their tenants' perspective, real estate companies are by no means worse landlords; in fact, they scored best regarding building fabric and technical equipment.
- —Structural Quality: 81 per cent of tenants of real estate companies expressed satisfaction with the structural condition of their dwelling. This is the highest figure across all owner groups.
- —Modernity of building services: 76 per cent of tenants of real estate companies expressed satisfaction, thereby securing the top position.
- —Relationship with the landlord: 77 per cent rated this as good or very good. Only private individuals as landlords achieved a marginally higher figure at 80 per cent.
Housing costs represent the primary burden for tenants. 52 per cent of tenants perceive their rent as a large or very large financial burden. In Germany's seven largest metropolitan areas, this figure is as high as 67 per cent. A high burden is perceived particularly when rent accounts for more than 40 per cent of household income. In this group, 80 per cent find housing costs heavily burdensome, which also translates into a noticeably declining general housing satisfaction. The financial burden of rent is perceived at a comparable level by tenants of real estate companies (54 per cent) and municipal housing associations (57 per cent).
The study also highlights an increasing consolidation of the rental market. While in 2016, 40 per cent of tenants had lived in their current dwelling for less than five years, this figure is now only 26 per cent. Concurrently, the proportion of those living in the same dwelling for 20 years or longer rose from 18 to 24 per cent since 2019. The average gross rent currently stands at 807 EUR per month and has increased by almost 20 per cent over the last decade (2016: 673 EUR). However, during the same period, general living costs rose by 28 per cent, indicating that rent increases were more moderate relative to overall consumer prices.
Regarding the expropriation debate, no loss of confidence in real estate companies is apparent. Only 21 per cent of the population considers the expropriation of large real estate companies sensible, while 42 per cent reject it. The increase in undecided respondents from 23 per cent in 2019 to now 37 per cent is notable. Tenants of real estate companies do not differ from the average in their stance, suggesting they do not feel disproportionately disadvantaged by their landlords. Jakub Mika emphasised that the actual problem lies in a stagnant housing market that generates too little movement and new supply. Here, more and faster new construction, more efficient approval procedures, and a reduction in bureaucratic hurdles are required.
