Vienna sounds the alarm: New 7-point program against housing speculation!

Vienna sounds the alarm: New 7-point program against housing speculation!

In Vienna, the fight against housing speculation is now being pushed forward even more consistently. This was impressively demonstrated at the International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) in Dublin, which took place from June 4th to 6th, 2025. The housing councilor Kathrin Gaál and the head of the tenant assistance Vienna, Christian Bartok, drew attention to the dangers that housing speculation brings with it for liveable cities. Loud oe24 It is crucial to use legal options to decisively counter speculation.

As part of the festival, the city of Vienna presented a comprehensive package of measures that was specifically developed to combat speculative properties in the city. This seven-point package ensures that existing structures to protect tenants and preserve housing are strengthened. The measures range from civil action against neglected buildings to supporting tenants in legal matters.

The key points of the package of measures

• Zivilrechtliche Schritte bei Verwahrlosung von Gebäuden.
• Ersatzmaßnahmen auf Kosten der Eigentümer bei ignorierten Instandhaltungen, zum Beispiel 2024 bereits 250 Maßnahmen bei 90 Gebäuden.
• Stärkere Baukontrollen – keine Genehmigungen für Abbrüche wegen „wirtschaftlicher Abbruchreife“ seit 2023.
• Erhöhung des Budgets für Gebäudesanierung von 112 auf 260 Millionen Euro.
• Offensive Altbautenschutz einschließlich Überprüfung von über 4.300 Gebäuden und mehr als 800 Beanstandungen.
• Starke Unterstützung für Mieter*innen durch rechtliche und organisatorische Begleitung.
• Anzeige krimineller Machenschaften bei Verdachtsfällen wie Untreue und Betrug.

Mayor Michael Ludwig and Deputy Mayor Kathrin Gaál emphasize the importance of exhausting all tenancy and building law options to support tenants. There are currently 12 acute speculative properties in Vienna, with a building stock of around 140,000 houses, as shown on mieterhilfe.at is to be read. It is also pointed out here that four cases are currently before the court or before the arbitration board for compulsory administration. 

With this offensive, the city is clearly addressing the weaknesses of the landlords. Tenant Help is closely involved in this process and offers support with tenancy law issues as well as the organization of tenant meetings. Through these measures, the City of Vienna not only wants to secure living space, but also significantly improve the living environment of its residents. A step in the right direction to keep Vienna livable and accessible to everyone.