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The nudist offensive action committee (Aktionskomitee nudistische Offensive (AKNO)), the alliance for urban mobile acoustic irradiation
(Bündnis für urbane Mobilbeschallung (BUMS)) and the "hedonistic flat viewing rally" (Sektion "Hedonistische Wohnungsbesuchtigungs-Rally") section completed another flat viewing rally on Sunday, September 26:

Berliners don't have a lot of purchasing power - some people have to pay so much rent that they can no longer afford clothes. That's why on
Sunday, September 26, we went to another flat viewing in Kreuzberg without a stitch on. Although the apartment passed our party test, we were pissed about the rent of 11,50 euros per square meter – that’s excluding utilities and heating costs. Trying to find someone stupid enough to pay that price borders on illicit profiteering (Mietwucher).

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Basically, the law says that overpriced rental offers are illegal if demand exceeds supply in the housing market and apartment-seekers have no choice but to accept these offers. For this rule to apply, however, a housing shortage has to be officially established by the authorities. If a shortage is determined, demanding a rent which exceeds the reference value suggested in the “Mietspiegel” (rent index, an official document issued by the state detailing average housing prices) by more than 20% constitutes an administrative offense, and prices exceeding this value by 50% or more are treated as a criminal offense. In the latter case, signed lease agreements can be changed to reflect an average rental price.

Anyone currently seeking an affordable apartment in Friedrichshain will tell you that there is a dramatic shortage in affordable housing - the situation is no different in other districts.

Against profiteering in the housing market – for fair living conditions!

For price fixing in the housing market (Mietbindung) – new leases have to reflect commensurate reference values!

Do your own flat viewing rally – anywhere!

Shout-out to the Fette Mieten-Parties Hamburg, to the Fette Mieten-Parties Zürich and to Jeudi Noir in Paris!