A letter from Wohnbau Lörrach is currently causing a lot of excitement on the Internet. Accordingly, 40 people are being given notice of their apartments in a residential complex because 100 refugees from Ukraine are to be accommodated there. The city has already confirmed the authenticity of the letter, which is widely shared on social networks. What's behind it? What do the affected tenants say? And what about tenancy?
What is the letter about?
In the letter, which is dated February 15, the municipal housing association Wohnbau Lörrach announces a tenants' meeting for February 27. At the beginning, reference is made to the "considerable influx of refugees from Ukraine and other regions of the world". The city and district have committed themselves to accommodating refugees, which is why an "intensive" search was made for other locations in addition to the planned refugee homes. That is why the city wants to make a residential complex available on Wölblinstrasse.
"For you, this means that we will shortly be terminating the tenancy agreed with you," the letter continues. However, "alternative, suitable living space" is offered. There is also support for the move, including financial support. There is enough time to find "a good solution for each individual". By the end of the year, the entire facility is to be used as a refugee home.
How does the city explain its actions?
After said letter triggered a shitstorm on the Internet, the housing association and the city reacted. Wohnbau Lörrach confirms the authenticity of the letter and refers to a communication from the city. This goes into more detail. It is said that the apartments were from the 1950s, "which are at the end of their life cycle and whose demolition and replacement construction was planned for the next few years". Accordingly, the tenants will be presented with “more modern and affordable housing options in a timely manner according to their personal situation”.
Interesting: The "Badische Zeitung" points out that there was already a similar case. According to this, around 100 residents from Gretherstraße were allocated to new apartments in Lörrach in 2015 and 2016 - also because of refugees. Thomas Nostadt, the managing director of Wohnbau Lörrach, is quoted as saying that this went off without a hitch.
Can the city just evict tenants?
Without knowing the circumstances of the individual tenants, termination by the landlord raises legal questions. "Such a termination is not legally permissible because there is no legitimate interest within the meaning of § 573 BGB," said the German Tenants' Association at the request of ntv.de. The corresponding paragraph states that the landlord can only give notice "if he has a legitimate interest in the termination of the tenancy". These include, for example, breaches of contract by the tenant, personal use by the landlord or any economic disadvantages that arise for the latter. "Any agreement deviating to the detriment of the tenant is invalid," the Civil Code continues.
It should therefore be difficult for the housing association and the city to fight through the dismissal because of the accommodation of refugees. Unless the existing tenants voluntarily accept the offer of a new apartment.
How are the tenants reacting?
An affected tenant expressed concerns to the "Badische Zeitung". He moved to the ground floor six months ago and was dependent on a ground-level apartment because of cancer. "The residents are depressed," says the man. He's thinking about moving. He therefore does not yet have more detailed information about the replacement apartment. "The man says that he has nothing against foreigners, that refugees have to find accommodation somewhere, but he asks himself: why here?" the newspaper writes.
He's definitely not going out there, the "Basler Zeitung" quotes an 81-year-old who has lived in the complex for 15 years. He is too old to move, and he is also worried about high rents given the scarce supply in Lörrach. Another pensioner, who also has to make do with 1,000 euros a month, is also concerned. He tells the newspaper that he finds it difficult to imagine that the "individual solution" sought by the landlady will turn out to his advantage. The 78-year-old therefore considers it "impossible" to move out. Since his stroke six years ago, he has found it increasingly difficult to find his way around in everyday life. "This letter - for me it's an early death notice." According to him, there have not yet been any organized protests by tenants against the termination. According to him, hardly anyone in the neighborhood agrees. "Some consider hiring a lawyer."
What are the reactions on the internet?
The letter appeared on the Internet shortly after it was sent. At first he attracted more attention locally and in right-wing circles, but over the weekend he quickly drew larger circles, also reported by the media. Housing boss Nostadt speaks to the "Badische Zeitung" of a shitstorm. He therefore receives "many violent, also hateful reactions", the content of which "in part suggests a right-wing spectrum".
The fact that tenants are being evicted to make room for refugees is a source of criticism. The letter from Wohnbau also creates this direct connection. Details of the process, such as the fact that the existing tenants should be offered more modern apartments and that the buildings should be demolished anyway, are often lost in the discussion.
Some critics rightly refer to the dubious legal situation or the fate of the tenants. However, some extreme critics also speak of "Umvolkung" - a reference to a conspiracy myth conceptually rooted in Nazism and claiming that the Germans should be replaced by refugees. Others use the case to agitate against refugees in general.
What is behind the discussion about refugees?
The discussion about refugees and their accommodation has long occupied federal politics. Municipalities have been complaining for a long time about a lack of funds, a lack of living space and also overworked staff. A summit with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser last week brought little progress, but the dissatisfaction of the cities and municipalities persists. Mainly because the federal government refuses further financial aid. Union politicians in particular are pushing for stricter regulation of migration and consistent deportation of rejected asylum seekers.
The city of Lörrach speaks of "major challenges" in accommodating refugees - to which municipalities are obliged. "We need a whole bundle of measures in order to be able to fulfill our municipal task of providing accommodation for people from war and crisis zones," says Mayor Jörg Lutz. According to the city, 638 people were admitted in 2022 as part of the follow-up accommodation, mainly from Ukraine. The allocation key for 2023 is currently 356 people.
Is the shitstorm justified?
There can be no question of a "repopulation" or the intentional suppression, as claimed by some Internet users - these are right-wing extremist myths. Still, the city's actions are unfortunate at best, rather stupid and negligent. Criticism of this is undoubtedly justified.
With all understanding for the difficult situation of the municipalities in the question of refugee accommodation: the city and the housing association overshoot the mark with the letter they sent. Sending a generally formulated letter and only then seeking a personal conversation is insensitive and unsettles older tenants in particular. An apartment that has been inhabited for decades, even if it is old and is about to be torn down, is the center of life and cannot simply be replaced. Quite apart from the legal question marks that the type of termination raises.
