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>"It's also interesting that people genuinely believe this is going to solve the problem rather than exacerbate it." No, nobody believes that this one action i

>"It's also interesting that people genuinely believe this is going to solve the problem rather than exacerbate it." No, nobody believes that this one action is going to solve a housing problem, where did you get that from in the article? The point is that Berlin took a pro-resident stance here which is both encouraging and unusual in the current "developer takes all" policies that many other desirable cities around the world have adopted. Berlin also enacted legislation restricting AirBnB rentals in the city. They understand there is a housing problem and are at least taking actions to address the concerns of the residents and possibly buy some time. >"The only solution to this "problem" is to let people build additional housing to increase supply." What do you suggest, Berlin gets rid of parks and public spaces and allows high high rise condos to occupy that space instead? Part of the quality of life and charm of Berlin is those spaces. Also there is nothing in this article that suggests that the potential buyers were going to increase the housing supply. Housing is a pretty complex issue and your completely reductionist policy suggestion is absurd and naive. >"And yes this will occur even if it's made "illegal" to sublet these apartments (this exact situation exists in NYC with people who have rent controlled apartments and people still do it all the time)." This is completely untrue. Firstly there are barely any "rent controlled" apartments left in NYC. They are an endangered species and this idea that people who don't live there are subletting them out at a profit is a complete myth. See the following: https://citylimits.org/2015/03/09/nycs-endangered-species-a-rent-controlled-apartment/ https://citylimits.org/2015/03/09/nycs-endangered-species-a-... As of 6 years ago rent controlled apartment in NYC were 1.8% of the total stock. And there are significantly less now: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_control_in_New_York https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rent_control_in_New_York

sbenitoj 9y ago
What solution do you believe will to lower housing prices in Berlin that isn't decreasing demand or increasing supply? Regarding rent controlled apartments, you're correct that only about 1% are rent controlled, I should've been more specific. Given the small percentage of apartments that are rent controlled, it likely has little effect on the overall pricing. When I said rent controlled apartments I really meant rent controlled and rent STABILIZED apartments (apartments that are not currently being charged the market rate). And rent stabilized apartments are approximately 50% of NYC apartments. [0] https://ny.curbed.com/2017/8/28/16214506/nyc-apartments-housing-rent-control https://ny.curbed.com/2017/8/28/16214506/nyc-apartments-hous... -- "That brings us to rent stabilization, a much more common way for New Yorkers to secure under-market rent. While only around one percent of New York rental units are rent controlled, roughly 50 percent of the city’s units are stabilized. Rent stabilization generally applies to apartments in buildings of six or more units constructed before 1974."
- bogomipz 9y ago
  Rent controlled and rent stabilized are not at all comparable. And yes, I am well familiar with rent-stabilized apartments. And rent stabilized apartments have annual rental increases just like any other de-regulated apartment does. It just means there's a cap on how much the landlord can increase the rent. There are no deals to be had there. And anyone who is fortunate enough to have a rent stabilized apartment is not stupid enough to risk it by subletting without the landlord's permission. Landlords are looking for any possible way to get rid of their stabilized tenants as each time the apartment turns over it is that much closer to deregulated. Landlords and property management companies watch their rent-stabilized apartments like hawks. You make it sound as if subletting rent stabilized apartments and pocketing the difference is some epidemic("people do it all the time".) Does it happen occasionally? Sure. Is it the common case? No, at at all, not even close. Not only that but rent stabilized apartments have their own issues as well. http://www.salon.com/2017/06/27/many-rent-stabilized-nyc-apartments-are-not-really-stabilized-see-where-they-are_partner/ http://www.salon.com/2017/06/27/many-rent-stabilized-nyc-apa...

sbenitoj 9y ago

What solution do you believe will to lower housing prices in Berlin that isn't decreasing demand or increasing supply? Regarding rent controlled apartments, you're correct that only about 1% are rent controlled, I should've been more specific. Given the small percentage of apartments that are rent controlled, it likely has little effect on the overall pricing. When I said rent controlled apartments I really meant rent controlled and rent STABILIZED apartments (apartments that are not currently being charged the market rate). And rent stabilized apartments are approximately 50% of NYC apartments. [0] https://ny.curbed.com/2017/8/28/16214506/nyc-apartments-housing-rent-control https://ny.curbed.com/2017/8/28/16214506/nyc-apartments-hous... -- "That brings us to rent stabilization, a much more common way for New Yorkers to secure under-market rent. While only around one percent of New York rental units are rent controlled, roughly 50 percent of the city’s units are stabilized. Rent stabilization generally applies to apartments in buildings of six or more units constructed before 1974."

bogomipz 9y ago
Rent controlled and rent stabilized are not at all comparable. And yes, I am well familiar with rent-stabilized apartments. And rent stabilized apartments have annual rental increases just like any other de-regulated apartment does. It just means there's a cap on how much the landlord can increase the rent. There are no deals to be had there. And anyone who is fortunate enough to have a rent stabilized apartment is not stupid enough to risk it by subletting without the landlord's permission. Landlords are looking for any possible way to get rid of their stabilized tenants as each time the apartment turns over it is that much closer to deregulated. Landlords and property management companies watch their rent-stabilized apartments like hawks. You make it sound as if subletting rent stabilized apartments and pocketing the difference is some epidemic("people do it all the time".) Does it happen occasionally? Sure. Is it the common case? No, at at all, not even close. Not only that but rent stabilized apartments have their own issues as well. http://www.salon.com/2017/06/27/many-rent-stabilized-nyc-apartments-are-not-really-stabilized-see-where-they-are_partner/ http://www.salon.com/2017/06/27/many-rent-stabilized-nyc-apa...