Allegations of Discrimination by Berlin's Howoge Housing Association

Berlin - Allegations have emerged suggesting that Howoge, a state-owned housing company, is discriminating against tenants with migrant backgrounds. Residents of the property located at Liebenwalder Straße 5 in Berlin-Wedding have voiced concerns regarding their treatment by the management. Previously, the building was under the controversial ownership of Vonovia, but since Howoge took over in 2022, complaints from tenants have reportedly escalated.

The residents, comprising both Germans and individuals from Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Hungary, and Eritrea, claim they are not treated equally. One tenant expressed dissatisfaction with the financial discrepancies in their service charges, stating, "There are inconsistencies in nearly all billing items. We feel exploited."

Another tenant reported that their heating consumption was inaccurately represented, leading to an unjustified increase in fees. This resident, originally from Hungary, claimed that after contesting their billing, they received a termination notice, which they suspected was due to their foreign name. They described the situation as discriminatory.

Similar experiences were recounted by other tenants, including Semi A., who alleged that following disputes over service charges, they were threatened with eviction multiple times. Furthermore, they reported being denied a certificate of rental debt clearance, which was essential for securing a new apartment.

Noel C., a tenant since 2013, reported confusion regarding service charge statements and noted that responses from Howoge varied significantly. "It feels like certain neighbors were targeted because they are less likely to contest charges," he stated. Gabi C., a trained accountant who assists fellow tenants in reviewing their billing, also observed a pattern where German tenants were not evicted for disputing charges, unlike those with foreign names.

In response to these allegations, Howoge has categorically denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the company emphasized their commitment to high standards in service charge accounting and stated that their practices adhere to all relevant regulations. They further refuted claims of discrimination, expressing outrage at the accusations.