Cap on rent increases applies

The city of Jena was included in the Thuringian rent cap ordinance on 01.01.2020.This means that the net rent for residential space may only increase by a maximum of 15%within three years instead of the previous 20% until the local comparative rent is reached. This does not apply to rent increases due to modernization and repairs.

Compliance with the rent cap is subject to private law. The city council has no means of influencing rent increases.
Therefore, only the tenant can take action against their landlord under private law if, in the tenant's view, there are signs of excessive rent increases and compliance with the rent cap is therefore being breached.

On 17.10.2018, the Jena City Council instructed the city administration to submit an application to the Free State of Thuringia for inclusion in the cap limit ordinance in accordance with Section 558 (3) BGB . The application was submitted to the state of Thuringia in order to counteract the overall tense situation on the housing market and the low vacancy rate of apartments. The ordinance that has now been passed is initially valid until 31.12.2024.