Interview with the Tenants' Council "We have influence, but limited"

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Since 2016, Berlin's tenant councils have been working on a voluntary basis to represent the interests of tenants. But their right to co-determination is limited, explains member Sebastian Lange in an interview.

With the new Housing Supply Act, the Berlin Senate had already created a basis for co-determination for tenants in 2016: the tenants' council. Since then, the democratically elected members have been working on a voluntary basis for the interests of the tenants. In an interview, Sebastian Lange, a member of the HOWOGE tenants' council since 2022 and delegate to the HOWOGE supervisory board, explains the limits and possibilities of co-determination.

We fulfill the task within the framework that is given to us. However, there are enormous expectations from the tenants of us, which we can only partially fulfill because we lack the legal basis. Many tenants are therefore dissatisfied and wish that we had much more influence, without knowing that we are not authorized to do so.


For example, many tenants would like us to approve rent increases in advance. However, we have no influence on this. Neither the Housing Supply Act nor the cooperation agreement stipulate that we should be consulted on this matter.


New construction projects are a good example of this. In principle, we are encouraged to get involved. But HOWOGE can decide on the basis of the Senate's guidelines whether it is information, consultation, co-determination or even co-determination by the tenant council.


In so-called participation processes, we can have a say in how construction is carried out, but not whether it is built. If participation is decided upon in a construction project, then we provide close support. We connect the tenants with each other and ensure that their voices are heard.

We have the right to be presented with strategic decisions and company plans before they are discussed in the supervisory board. However, this is a consultation, not a co-determination. Furthermore, most of it is confidential. However, if we have points that we would like to raise, we will be heard.

Yes, by law we have a vote on the supervisory board and are allowed to bring a guest auditor, who does not have voting rights. However, we make decisions here as a member of a company body, not against the company. Fortunately, tenant interests are overwhelmingly also company interests. This position is therefore not a broadsword, but it is not a blunt sword either. We can definitely make a difference.

We act on an equal footing with HOWOGE. However, the Senate does not envisage that tenant councils should exert the influence on landlords that some tenants would like. Unfortunately, we do not have a mandate to do so.

We definitely want more consultation and participation. However, this demand is clearly directed at the Senate, not just at HOWOGE. One example of this is the new cooperation agreement. Here, decisions have been made that are extremely relevant for tenants without us even being consulted.

With early and more open communication with the Berlin tenant councils. The agreement was decided without representation of the tenants' interests. This has frustrated many tenants who think we have agreed to it. We definitely want to set this straight. We are committed to the interests of our tenants within the scope of the legal possibilities.

Thank you for the interview!