Secret list: These old Viennese old buildings threaten to demolish!

Secret list: These old Viennese old buildings threaten to demolish!

in Vienna is bubbling when it comes to demolishing old buildings. A dark chapter in urban planning is currently being reopened: How Profile reports the residential building spokesman for the SPÖ, Peter Prack The targeted falling of old buildings. Cut off information about the city's demolition objects provide heated discussions. Prack has already made a parliamentary request to the Vienna Councilor Kathrin Gaál to get the addresses of these so -called demolition houses.

The tentative procedure of the city administration is not surprising: In 2022, Gaál answered a similar request, but later refused to provide information on data protection in 2023. The city's argument is obvious: disclosure could lead to home occupations and thus endanger public security. A fateful incident from 2014, which ended with a massive police operation, serves as a warning example of the nervousness in the town hall.

A court ruling brings light into the darkness

The Vienna Administrative Court has now decided that the right of the population to information is higher than the interests of the homeowners. As a result, the city was forced to disclose the addresses after just one and a half years. Oberwellen beat up, and Prack plans to drive these objects to check any grievances. It is already known that owners often let old houses expire in order to press the high renovation costs and justify the demolition.

An alarming example is the building at Radetzkystrasse 24–28. The demolition began here in 2018, while tenants still lived in the house. Prack warns of a trend that he calls "flight from the Rentrecht Act". The residential building expert Michael Klien adds that Vienna lags behind houses compared to other federal states. In 2024, all six applications for economic demolition maturity were rejected, while eight permits were previously granted that were requested before the tightened guidelines.

tenant rights in focus

What role do the tense conditions between tenants and landlords play in this debate? Clear rules apply here: Tenants and landlords have different rights and obligations that depend on the Rentrecht Act (MRG). Rents in old buildings that were built before May 9, 1945 are generally subject to strict regulations - from protection against dismissal and rent limits, which is an important legal basis for many tenants. It is all the more explosive if tenants get into uncertainty through foreseeable demolition plans.

Another important point: Tenants can contact advice centers to find out whether their tenancy is subject to the full application of the MRG. With its Altbau-rentcheck offers valuable support. This includes an examination of the rental contracts and enables too high rents to be reclaimed. However, only members of the AK Vienna can take part in this program, which means additional hurdles for those affected.

we look ahead: Prack has already announced that the Centimeter House on Währinger Gürtel 1 falls under the approved dropouts again. The tense living conditions in our city make it clear that the topic of demolition and tenant rights will continue to be on the agenda. The future of the old buildings will depend on both the interests of the owners and the commitment of the tenants and we can be excited to see which measures the City of Vienna will take.