Student unions try to find affordable housing for university students. It is traditionally scarce and will probably become more expensive in the near future. There are calls for relief.
Rostock/Greifswald (dpa/mv) - Students in the north-east have to be prepared for rising rents. "A rent increase in January 2023 will not be averted," said the Greifswald student union at the request of the German Press Agency. According to current projections by the Rostock-Wismar student union, the rents in the dormitories there would have to be increased by 57 euros next year just to compensate for the rising energy costs. The average rent for a room in a hall of residence will already rise from 260 to 270 euros in the coming winter semester. The reason for this is the higher maintenance costs.
Managing Director Kai Hörig called for a government energy cost subsidy for students to cushion social hardship. "It shouldn't be the case that students have to drop out of their studies due to financial hardship or aren't able to start at all." The heating cost subsidy decided by the federal government only helps recipients of BAföG.
This was recently criticized by the General Student Committee (AStA) Greifswald. Students would be completely alone shortly before winter, warned the chairman Lukas Voigt.
The Studierendenwerk Rostock-Wismar has received initial information from suppliers about the price increases. "These will be massive," wrote a spokeswoman. According to current projections, there would be additional costs of 1.3 million euros for the management of the dormitories in 2023. Energy prices could still rise. They want to save energy, for example by not heating corridors and pointing out the residents to savings opportunities. They also want to postpone maintenance measures and use the saved funds for energy. "So we don't immediately pass the full costs on to the students."
The Studierendenwerk charges all-inclusive rents including all ancillary costs, such as for internet and electricity. "Students therefore do not have to worry about paying back operating costs."
In Wismar, Rostock and Greifswald, the demand for living space exceeds the supply of the student unions. Already since August 19th one had to cancel all interested parties, it was said from Greifswald. So far there have been at least 340. In Rostock, according to the student union there, there are more than 1,200 applications for just over 400 rooms that would become available at the beginning of the winter semester. In Wismar there are 250 applications and 200 rooms that have become vacant.
