Mietpolitik

Mietpolitik refers to government policies and measures that influence rental housing markets. It encompasses rent regulation, tenancy law, housing supply, and social housing programs, with the aim of ensuring affordability, security of tenure, and access to decent housing while maintaining a functioning housing market.

Instrumentally, Mietpolitik uses a combination of tools. These include rent controls or caps, limits on annual rent increases, and rent indices used to set or guide permissible rents. Tenancy protections, deposit regulations, and rules on eviction contribute to security of tenure. Public housing programs, housing allowances such as Wohngeld, tax incentives for affordable housing, and planning policies that promote new construction and energy efficiency are also central elements.

Regional variations are significant. In Germany, mechanisms such as the Mietpreisbremse (rent cap for new leases) and the Mietspiegel (rent index) shape pricing, while Vienna maintains a large stock of municipally owned and regulated housing (Gemeindebau). In Switzerland and Austria, tenancy law blends strong tenant protections with social housing initiatives. In some markets, rent controls are used selectively or sunset clauses are employed, whereas other regions emphasize market-based approaches with targeted support for low-income households.

Debates around Mietpolitik often center on trade-offs between tenant protection and housing investment. Proponents argue that strong protections are essential in high-demand cities to curb displacement and preserve affordability. Critics contend that stringent controls can dampen maintenance, reduce new construction, and distort market signals. Policy design tends to be context-dependent, balancing short-term affordability with long-term housing supply and quality.