Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) – The tenants’ association of North Rhine-Westphalia has called for social compensation for the planned gas levy. The association said on Friday in Düsseldorf that increased energy costs would have to be offset by state benefits. For example, the housing allowance with an energy component must be increased significantly. Above all, however, the circle of beneficiaries must be expanded considerably. “The previous limits mean that even people who work full-time for the minimum wage are usually not entitled to housing benefit,” said the NRW Tenants’ Association Chairman Hans-Jochem Witzke.
The consumption-based gas levy is to be paid by all gas customers, including companies, from the fall. The money is intended to support importers of Russian natural gas who, after drastic supply cuts by Russia, have to buy the gas elsewhere at extremely high prices in order to supply public utilities, for example.
Rent increase options would have to be temporarily suspended, the tenants’ association continued. “It is inconceivable that everyone is supposed to be doing their bit to help overcome the crisis, but at the same time real estate companies are continuing to make record profits and pay out dividends in the billions.”
Tenant households should not run the risk of losing their home because of energy poverty. Terminations due to owed rents and ancillary costs should be excluded for the time of the crisis and also retrospectively. “The current exceptional situation must under no circumstances lead to the loss of the apartment,” said Witzke.
