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

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

Wien, Österreich - In Vienna, the fight against housing speculation is now being promoted even more consistently. This was impressively demonstrated at the International Social Housing Festival (ISHF) in Dublin, which took place from June June 6th, 2025. The residential building councilor Kathrin Gaál and the head of the tenant Wien, Christian Bartok, attracted attention to the dangers that housing speculation for the liveable cities. According to OE24 it is crucial to use legal options.

As part of the festival, a comprehensive package of measures was presented, which was specially developed to combat speculation objects in the city. This seven-point package ensures that existing structures are strengthened to protect tenants and to maintain the living space. The measures range from civil law steps in the neglect of buildings to the support of tenants in legal matters.

The key points of the package of measures

• civil law steps in the neglect of buildings.
• Replacement measures at the expense of the owner for ignored maintenance, for example in 2024 250 measures for 90 buildings.
• stronger building controls - no permits for demolitions due to "economic demolition" since 2023.
• increase in the budget for building renovation from 112 to 260 million euros.
• offensive old building protection including review of over 4,300 buildings and more than 800 complaints.
• strong support for tenants through legal and organizational support.
• Display of criminal machinations in suspected cases such as infidelity and fraud.

Mayor Michael Ludwig and Vice Mayor Kathrin Gaál emphasize the importance of exhausting all rental and building law opportunities to support the tenants. There are currently 12 acute speculative objects in Vienna, with a building stock of around 140,000 houses, as can be read on . Here it is also pointed out that four cases are currently in court or at the arbitration board for compulsory administration.