BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Following the agreement to extend the rent freeze, the SPD parliamentary group is insisting on further reforms to protect tenants. "The affordability of rents is a top issue for us and we want to see more than just the rent freeze," said Katja Mast, Parliamentary Secretary of the SPD parliamentary group, in Berlin on Wednesday. There are several other promises in the coalition agreement, for example on rent caps for rent increases or on non-profit housing. The SPD wants to see all of these points implemented.

"I assume that the FDP is faithful to the agreement, and it signed the coalition agreement with us," Mast emphasized. In this agreement, the SPD, Greens and FDP agreed in 2021 to lower the cap on rent increases in tight markets to eleven percent in three years. The rent cap, which limits the rent when a new contract is signed, is to be extended until 2029. In addition, a non-profit housing association is to be introduced, which will give tax advantages to housing companies that provide affordable housing for people with little money. Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) is responsible for changes to tenancy law. The SPD had recently repeatedly criticized him for not tackling these reforms quickly enough./tam/DP/stw