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Get startedTemporary furnished housing: what the data really shows.
The current debate has so far been shaped largely by assumptions. Now, the facts are on the table. For the first time, the ifo Institute* and Prognos AG* show how this market in Germany actually works, and what the economic consequences of the proposed regulation could be.
*Note: The studies are currently available in German only.
Das falsche Narrativ
Temporary furnished housing is an essential part of a functioning housing market
A distorted view of the market
Temporary housing represents <1% of the total market, yet is advertised 20× more frequently.
Real demand the market cannot absorb
Over 80% of users have housing needs that are not met by the traditional market.
No evidence of displacement
Temporary housing and traditional rentals are growing in parallel. Temporary housing does not remove supply from the market.
Arbeitsmarktrelevanz des Segments
Temporary housing is critical to labour market mobility
1,4x
share of shortage occupations compared to the national average
65%
of prospective tenants say they would not be able to start their job as planned without temporary housing
777 Mio €
additional economic value enabled by secured mobility (Berlin)
“Restricting temporary furnished housing also means restricting the mobility of skilled professionals.”
Jan Hase
CEO, Wunderflats
Wer betroffen ist
Demand shaped by real-life mobility needs
Project / knowledge workers
18%
International professionals
17%
Domestic mobile professionals
15%
Domestic students / trainees
8%
International students / trainees
13%
Life events (e.g. water damage)
9%
Refugees
4%
Other
15%
Tap the chart to see the values
Rechtliche Bewertung
Proposed regulations raise serious legal concerns
“The proposed regulations in Berlin and at the federal level are in conflict with existing law. Legal opinions by GSK Stockmann highlight significant concerns under both EU and constitutional law.”
Jan Hase
CEO, Wunderflats
Proposed measures (Tenancy Law II)
Key legal and structural risks
Fixed 6-month limit for temporary housing
Questionable proportionality, lack of differentiation, concerns under EU and constitutional law
Cap on furnishing surcharge
De facto price ceiling, potential violation of the EU Services Directive
Blanket restrictions on temporary housing to prevent misuse
Low targeting accuracy, lack of differentiation by use case
Stricter regulation of the temporary housing segment
Interference with property and contractual freedom, risk of conflict with EU law
Evidenz
Independent evidence and legal analysis
Study
Ifo Institut
Economic classification of flexible housing models *
Content: supply-side analysis
Study
Prognos AG
Demand and impact of temporary furnished housing *
Content: demand-side analysis
Legal opinion
GSK Stockmann
Federal legal assessment *
Content: evaluation of current regulatory initiatives at the federal level
Legal opinion
GSK Stockmann
Berlin legal assessment *
Content: legal evaluation of the planned administrative practice in Berlin
*Note: The studies are currently available in German only.
