Regarding 1: Germany's economy is doing well compared to the surrounding countries, so they're attracting many foreigners, especially in Berlin. These foreigner

Regarding 1: Germany's economy is doing well compared to the surrounding countries, so they're attracting many foreigners, especially in Berlin. These foreigners need a place to live, which is one big driver of rent increases. Regarding 3: landlords are successfully invoking the "right of own use" to evict tenants. They are basically claiming that they need the apartment for themselves, a relative, etc. [1] Furthermore, thanks a relatively recent law, the landlord can't raise the rent for older buildings indefinitely - there's a cap. New buildings are exempt. For those rents start high and there's a standard ~2.5% increase per year. [1] Article in German: https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/mietwohnungen-eigenbedarfskuendigungen-nehmen-dramatisch-zu-a-1268257.html https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/mietwohnungen-eig...