Large rents are a major burden, especially in large cities

Tenants should not spend more than a third of their household net income on housing costs - so the rule of thumb. The reality is different.

Financial burden from high rents

For a roof over their heads, many tenants have to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets. This is not only annoying - especially in large cities, the housing costs for many people are becoming an almost unbearable financial burden. Around four out of ten households in Germany's metropolises already have to spend a third of their net income on rent. For a million households, it is even more than half. This is confirmed by a current study by the Berlin Humbold University on behalf of the Hans Böckler Foundation, which is close to the union.

Below Hartz IV level

Social scientists sound the alarm: If more than 30 percent of household income is already spent on the basic rent, there is relatively little money available for living. This affects people with smaller incomes particularly hard. 1.3 million city residents make rent payments poor: After deducting the rental costs, they have less in their wallets than the Hartz IV standard rate.

Tense housing market

20 million city dwellers are affected by the tight housing market. The situation is also critical away from the major cities, the researchers note - for example in economically weaker cities such as Bremerhaven or Offenbach.